BioARTech Laboratory

A new BioARTech Laboratory at the Faculty of Art and Design of the University of Finland is focusing on developing new knowledge about bioart. This laboratory seeks to develop activities that combine bioart, fashion and textile art, creative research (ABM and ABR), biotechnology and science. The technologies used will include biotechnological methods, biomaterials, smart textiles and new materialism. Key aims of the BioARTech laboratory are the exploration of biomimicry, which means to mimic good ideas from nature and transport them into design or innovation. Another key aim of the laboratory is to explore the notion of biophilia, a term that has been established by E.O. Wilson in 1984 and refers to the humans’ positive responsiveness to nature, which is based on shared genetics between humans and nature. Key researchers of the BioARTech Laboratory are Heidi Pietarinen, Satu Miettinen and Melanie Sarantou.

The BioARTech artist-researcher group will present the rhythm and movement that can be found in bioart in an art exhibition at the Faculty of Art and Design in Autumn 2021. The exhibition and data collection will be transformed into new knowledge about the (inter)growth of organic and natural materials. Organic materials will enable the works to come about, be observed, and experienced by co-creators who would be the artists and audiences. The co-creators would be able to influence the completion of the works to some extent, but the final aesthetics and appearances would be up to the organic materials to determine.