Biodesign presents recent design and art projects that integrate with living systems. These works introduce visionary strategies for improving ecological performance, the aesthetic possibilities enabled by new biotechnology and provocative experiments that illuminate the opportunities and dangers in manipulating life for human ends.
Hardcover: 288 pages
Illustrations: 467
Dimensions: 10.2 x 8.3 x 1.2 inches
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0500516278
ISBN-13: 978-0500516270
Biodesign was made possible by the early and enthusiastic support of Lucas Dietrich of Thames & Hudson and the guidance of Alice Twemlow of The School of Visual Arts. Crucial support was also provided by Paola Antonelli, senior design curator for The Museum of Modern Art in New York.
Two important collaborators on the project who helped research and coordinate the content and who contributed to the text were Andrew Gardner and Barbara Eldredge.
CONTENTS
Foreword by Paola Antonelli
Introduction: The Hybrid Frontier
Essay: Beyond Biomimicry by William Myers
Chapter 1: Architectural Hybrids - Living Structures and New Ecological Integrations
Features works on the architectural or urban scales that incorporate biological processes to enhance their function.
Chapter 2: Ecological Object Engineering - Replacing Industrial and Mechanical Processes
Presents how natural processes are being considered as viable alternatives to reliance on conventional machines. Projects include contained systems as well as experiments in localizing fabrication with an organic process.
Chapter 3: Experimental Functions - Speculative Objects, Teaching Tools and Provocations
Introduces cautionary tales, critical commentary and experimental technologies meant to spark discussion about potential and often surprising future functions of design.
Chapter 4: Dynamic Beauty – Artwork Crawling off the Auction Block
Profiles recent works that focus on the aesthetics of experimenting with biology and harnessing life in unexpected ways.
Chapter 5: Profiling Programs and Collaborations: Essay: The Convergence of Design, Art and the Life Sciences
Chapter 6: Interviews
David Benjamin: Founder and Principal, The Living (Architecture + Design Firm)
Ginger Krieg Dosier: Assistant Professor of Architecture at American University of Sharjah
Sean Quinn: Sustainable Design Specialist at HOK
Jessica Green: Director. Biology and the Built Environment (BioBE) Center, University of Oregon, Eugene
Dan Grushkin: Co-Founder, Genspace
Marin Sawa: Designer and Researcher
Eduardo Kac: Artist
Oron Catts: Director of SymbioticA, the Centre of Excellence in Biological Arts, School of Anatomy and Human Biology, The University of Western Australia
Maria Aiolova: Director, ONE Lab School for Urban Ecology
Chapter 7: Biographies
Summary of each participant, including e-mail address and studio URL.