http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22943780
With the purpose of creating unique art, Marta de Menzes, modified the wing patterns on butterflies. While the butterflies were still in their cocoon stages, she used a thin needle and heat generator to change one of their wing design through a technique called microcautery. She had the ability to create or delete eyespots on the wings.
For her project, Nature, she would alter one of the butterfly's wing and let the second wing develop normally. These modified butterflies were no different from their counterparts except for the unique wing pattern. It is important to note that they still had the same life span and mating behavior.
Her idea for Nature started from an article about scientists who modified the wing patterns of butterflies for research purposes. "I found it amazing that those butterflies’ wing patterns had been modified by scientists, and yet were exclusively made of normal cells, creating a tension between the natural and the artificial" - De Menzes.
http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/2004/05/28/butterflywings.php
http://www.transgenesis.cz/archive/2007/artists/MartaMenezes.pdf
In my opinion, de Menedez had done exactly that. She had created a design that was natural because it was still made up of normal cells, but had been modified by the human touch.
What I found most unique about her project, was that her purpose was to bring individuality to species that were not seen as individuals due to their exterior appearance. When Professor Vesna first mentioned Nature in her lecture video I thought the project was inhumane and I didn't understand De Meneze's purpose. It is easier to accept researchers manipulating living organisms rather than artists.
http://www.artnews.com/2013/03/18/biotechnology-as-art-form/
Society always hears about the advances in medicine and technology. They test their experiments on animals and to some it is inhumane, but to others it is the only way to get ahead. When artists start modifying species to make art, it is harder to see the significance in their work. However, its significance and purpose is still present.
I think before an artist can take on a project, they should do as much research and have the qualifications to work with biotechnology. I think that if an artist is going to use biotechnology, they shouldn't harm or make the species any different from their counterparts. Specifically, they should still be able to live a normal life. Research and art is very unique in its own way and mixing the two should be done with caution.
Works Cited
Brown Butterfly. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/2004/05/28/butterflywings2.jpg>.
"Marta De Menezes." Transgenesis. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://www.transgenesis.cz/archive/2007/artists/MartaMenezes.pdf>.
Miranda, Carolina A. "Weird Science: Biotechnology as Art Form." ARTnews. N.p., 18 Mar. 2013. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://www.artnews.com/2013/03/18/biotechnology-as-art-form/>.
Nijhout, H.F. "Elements of Butterfly Wing Patterns." Journal of Experimental Zoology 291.3 (2001): 213-25. Web. <http://biology.duke.edu/nijhout/images/PatternElements.pdf>.
Otaki, J. "Color Pattern Analysis of Nymphalid Butterfly Wings: Revision of the Nymphalid Groundplan." NCBI. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 29 Sept. 2012. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22943780>.
Purple Butterfly. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://gardeningwithconfidence.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Purple-butterfly.jpg>.
Red and Black Butterfly. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://artplusscience.free.fr/art/05/nature04.jpg>.
Reinert, Birgit. "Asymmetrical Butterfly Wings." Genome News Network. N.p., 28 May 2004. Web. 10 Nov. 2013. <http://www.genomenewsnetwork.org/articles/2004/05/28/butterflywings.php>.
Symmetry. Digital image. N.p., n.d. Web. <http://biology.duke.edu/nijhout/images/NGPSDS.jpg>.
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