Tissue Culture and Art Project

TC&A artists Oron Catts and Ionat Zurr set out to explore the use of tissue technologies as a medium for artistic expression by investigating human relationships with the different gradients of life through the construction/growth of a new class of object/being – that of the Semi-Living. These are parts of complex organisms which are sustained alive outside of the body and coerced to grow in predetermined shapes. These evocative objects are a tangible example that brings into question deep rooted perceptions of life and identity, concept of self, and the position of the human in regard to other living beings and the environment. They are particularly interested in the new discourses and new ethics/epistemologies that surround issues of partial life and the contestable future scenarios they are offering us.

Catts and Zurr began their research in the School of Anatomy and Human Biology prior to the establishment of SymbioticA. They were instrumental along with Professor Miranda Grounds and Professor Stuart Bunt in establishing the space for other artists to gain access to the facilities of the School of Anatomy and Human Biology and continue their research as core SymbioticA Artists and mentor and train other artists in tissue engineering.

SymbioticA’s location, within The University of Western Australia also offers artists in residence a wealth of resource equipment, knowledge and expertise. Artists have worked in collaboration with academics and technicians in the biological and social sciences, arts & humanities, engineering and agriculture departments.

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