[-empyre-] Biology, Art and Life to begin: a nod to Beatriz

[Renate Terese Ferro]

It was in February, 2013 http://lists.artdesign.unsw.edu.au/pipermail/empyre/2013-February/date.html that -empyre hosted a topic related to biology, art and life.  During that month we dedicated a month long tribute to the life and work of bio-artist, Beatriz DaCosta who had passed away a mere month before. Shani’s life partner, Robert DiNeffer, wrote this introductory post,  

“It somehow feels appropriate to begin at the end, and start by reflecting upon her final body of work, which encompassed a series of projects she’d  entitled "The Cost of Life." I'll focus, for the
moment at least, upon “Dying for the Other<http://beatrizdacosta.net/Dying_for_the_Other/>,” her last completed project (though she had many others in various stages of
development, some of which may also make sense to discuss). She was always good at titles. Her work, even though she used herself and her disease as
subject matter, was never just about her, or her illness. That, for Shani, made all the difference. She created a complicated, nuanced, and at times uncomfortable space for reflection, which could function as a catalyst for change, A more politically committed and socially engaged artist you’d be hard pressed to find.”


It is appropriate right now for me and us I think to reflect on Robert’s post because through Beatriz we remember how the intersections between Biology and Art can be a personal, public, political, and social catalysts for change where the boundaries of truth and the imagination become dynamically complex. 

(Incidently, I am also reminded that I had been introduced to an incredible group of bio-artists including Beatriz in San Jose ISEA2006.  http://isea-archives.org/sample-page/isea2006/
Paul Vanouse another guest for this month was also on that panel. )

So a nod to the past at the beginning in order to remember where we have come from and where we are headed into the future.  
Best to all of you.  Renate

Renate Ferro
Visiting Associate Professor
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Department of Art
Tjaden Hall 306
rferro at cornell.edu