Honors Collegium 177: Biotechnology and Art

Honors Collegium 177

Biotechnology and Art

Enrollment: Open to College Honors/College Scholars students

Course Description: Seminar, six hours. Bioartists use cells, DNA molecules, proteins, and living tissues to bring to life ethical, social, and aesthetic issues of sciences. Study of how bioart blurs distinctions between science and art through combination of artistic and scientific processes, creating wide public debate. Exploration of history of biotechnology as well as social implications of this science. P/NP or letter grading.

Professor Victoria Vesna

Victoria Vesna, Ph.D., is an Artist and Professor at the UCLA Department of Design Media Arts and Director of the Art|Sci center at the School of the Arts and California Nanosystems Institute (CNSI). Although she was trained early on as a painter (Academy of Fine arts, Belgrade, 1984), her curious mind took her on an exploratory path that resulted in work can be defined as experimental creative research residing between disciplines and technologies. With her installations she investigates how communication technologies affect collective behavior and perceptions of identity shift in relation to scientific innovation (PhD, University of Wales, 2000). Her work involves long-term collaborations with composers, nano-scientists, neuroscientists, evolutionary biologists and she brings this experience to students.

Student Feedback

Honors Collegium 177: Biotechnology and Art

“Professor Vesna is very passionate about her work and her students. She is involved in so many interesting projects, and I was grateful for the opportunity to learn from her. This course really broadened my horizons, and challenged me to think differently about science and art and their relationship to each other. Even in my own research, I am starting to consider how I could use the tools available to me to create some interesting artwork.”

“I am glad that I have taken this unique class connecting art and science, which was an unfamiliar connection for me. I have learned so much about this interdisciplinary aspect. Professor Vesna pushed us to think outside the box and continue developing our ideas beyond class. The student exhibitions and guest speakers she brought to class were all inspiring and fascinating!”

I am glad that I have taken this unique class connecting art and science, which was an unfamiliar connection for me. I have learned so much about this interdisciplinary aspect. Professor Vesna pushed us to think outside the box and continue developing our ideas beyond class. The student exhibitions and guest speakers she brought to class were all inspiring and fascinating!