08.2023
From making the most literal self portraits to self-experimentation, learning to grow and modify my own cells has offered unique conceptual projects in both art & science.
Self Portrait
Never discarding the cells grown in culture, I collected every flasks’ biomass until I had enough to glue together. Using meat glue, I could obtain a obtain a sculptable putty like material.
Culturing + Genetically Modifying Cells
Endometrial or fibroblasts cells that were harvested from menstral blood are cultured and experimented on. Here, they have been modified with the Lac-Z plasmid that results in a blue color change.
View collection protocol here.
Wearables
hese glass vessels contain my living cells in a liquid media. In order to keep them alive, they need warmth. As long as the charm is worn and makes contact with the skin, the body heat of the wearer can sustain the life of the cells.
Our attire is often selected to make ourselves more comfortable. Rarely do we wear things to make them more comfortable. The switch in these roles reiterates the challenging notion that there is a me outside of me, that has specific needs to sustain itself.