What intrigued me the most about this week’s speaker was the description of her transdisciplinary art in the first place, biopolitical art. I was intrigued to see how she would combine those elements into her art, and what possibilities it unleashed as to the scope of what she can create. With her work shown around the world, and sparking the interest of publications as varied as The New York Times, the BBC, to Wired, I knew we are in for a real treat tonight.
One of her most fascinating, and potentially controversial, projects is Stranger Visions. In this series she first collected stray hairs, chewed up gum, and other items that carry trace amounts of DNA from around NYC. She then uses genomic research to create 3D printed sculptures based on what the individuals in question might look like. This project has shown the true scope of current technology, while also drawing interest and criticisms from far and wide because of it’s rather controversial subject matter.
Even more controversially, she’s worked with Chelsea Manning, renowned whistleblower involved with Wikileaks, to create 3D printed portraits from her DNA. As described on her website, the project is a “homage and exploration of gender identity stereotypes in forensics DNA phenotyping.”
You can learn more about Heather Dewey-Hagborg and her many projects on her official website, here.
This is the last lecture in this semester’s regular Stamps Speaker Series! Be sure not to miss it and the subsequent special event with screenwriter Doug Miro! The lecture will be at 5:10 PM, Tonight 4/5 in the Michigan Theater. As always it will be free to the public. You can find more information about these last two events in the series here, and watch out for the series starting up again next fall!
