The aesthetic microbe
For centuries, microbes have been a canvas, as well as an inspiration for artists. In this report in Microbiology Today, Simon Park guides us through the modern renaissance of ProkaryArt and EukaryArt as the boundaries between microbiology and art become increasingly blurred.
I should add a brief note of caution at this point in case any non-microbiologist reading this article should be inspired to practice BioArt. The use of microbes in art is not without risks to the artist. Steve Kurtz, an associate professor of art at the University at Buffalo, but not a microbiologist, is also a practitioner of ProkaryArt. He fi rst came to the attention of the police in May 2004, not because of this, but when he reported the death of his wife due to heart failure. Investigators coincidently discovered some of the mostly harmless biological specimens that he used for his work in the house, and whilst he never intended to cause harm with the bacteria, this did not prevent the FBI from detaining him under terrorism legislation. He now faces 20 years in prison for fraudulently obtaining bacterial cultures.
Hi, thanks for the insightful article. Please allow me to make two important corrections: 1) the biological specimens in the Kurtzes’ home were ENTIRELY harmless(as noted for example by Donald A. Henderson, Dean Emeritus of the Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health & resident scholar at the Center for Biosecurity of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center). At the time of Steve’s illegal detention, the materials in question had been used in science-theater projects at many of the world’s major cultural institutions, with no risk to the public whatsoever. Critical Art Ensemble (CAE) always undertake their work in continuous consultation with members of the scientific community to ensure that the artworks they produce are both accurate and safe. In keeping with their criteria of safety and accessibility, the materials they use are strictly non-hazardous, can be legally obtained by anyone, and are commonly found in undergraduate level biology labs. CAE’s projects are recognized by artists, scientists, and institutions worldwide as thorough, investigative, educative and safe.
2) The prosecution ALLEGES that Kurtz and his scientific consultant, Dr. Robert Ferrell of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, obtained the biological samples fraudulently. However, according to the DoJ’s own Guidelines for the Prosecution of mail fraud and wire fraud, they did not! (See http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/foia_reading_room/usam/title9/43mcrm.htm)
After wasting millions of taxpayer dollars and failing to produce any evidence of “bioterrorism,” the government is now claiming that Ferrell used his contract through the University of Pittsburgh to purchase the samples from American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), which he then gave to Steve for use in one of art CAE’s projects, thereby “defrauding” the University and ATCC. If true, this would constitute a minor contract discrepancy concerning $256 of harmless materials, to be settled between the parties involved. But neither the University of Pittsburgh, nor ATCC, nor any state authorities, have brought any complaint against Ferrell or Kurtz! As one scientist pointed out, if what Kurtz and Ferrell did was fraud, just about every scientist in the US would have to be indicted for fraud. (For more information, please see http://www.caedefensefund.org)