Nature of Neptune: Patricia Piccinini's Synthetic Organisms

With the dizzying number of groundbreaking advancements in biological sciences in the past few decades, questions of their use and morality keep challenging our society. As mentioned in regard to Eduardo Kac's genetically modified rabbit, scientists (and artists) who "play God" by manipulating the genetic material of living creatures are not always well received by the public.

Australian artist Patricia Piccinini continues this debate by creating stunningly realistic silicone-based sculptures of genetically hybrid organisms that raise a number of questions about current advances in biotechnology. Piccinini's piece, The Young Family (shown above), initially shocks the viewer with its grotesquely realistic portrayal of genetic modification gone disturbingly wrong. Yet the almost-human features of the creatures also induce empathy within us, especially the incredibly realistic emotion on the face of the mother. It is not the expression of suffering, but rather of the all-too-realistic weariness of child rearing.

Are these creatures abominations resulting from our society's scientific hubris, or do they show basic human/animal domestic tenderness? Are we disturbed by the photo because it blurs the line between human and animal? It is rare to find works of art so repulsive, yet so captivating.

The piece above, called Still Life with Stem Cells, tackles the swarm of issues surrounding another biological issue: stem cell research. An incredibly realistic little girl sits on the floor, joyfully playing with an array of blob-like fleshy creatures. The sculpture serves as a metaphor for stem cells and emphasizes their malleability. Are these happy blobs of flesh a welcome modification, or a disturbing alternative to the human embryos they came from?

The Blog Blog discusses Piccinini's thoughts on her own work, and you can read an interview with her here. Ron Mueck is another interesting artist who makes sculptures in a very similar way, but with a different focus. Both photos in this post are from Piccinini's website.