From Dennis Overbye from the NY Times 12/02/2010:
"Scientists said Thursday that they had trained a bacterium to eat and grow on a diet of arsenic, in place of phosphorus — one of six elements considered essential for life — opening up the possibility that organisms could exist elsewhere in the universe or even here on Earth using biochemical powers we have not yet dared to dream about." (read the rest here)
(photo of Dr. Felisa Wolfe-Simon at Mono Lake, CA - by Henry Bortman for the NY Times)
According to this article artist Liu Bolin paints himself into the background of urban cityscapes because of the dehumanizing effects of modern society. So rather than paint on paper canvases to portray his disaffection & disconnection with 21st century urban contexts Liu Bolin will literally spend up to 10 hours painting himself (or having his assistants paint him) into the background of certain urban scenes. At once becoming invisible to passersby while becoming a very part of the dehumanization he is protesting.
In the above-linked article Liu Bolin said: "'Some people call me the invisible man, but for me it's what is not seen in a picture which is really what tells the story.
'After graduating from school I couldn't find suitable work and I felt there was no place for me in society.
'I experienced the dark side of society, without social relations, and had a feeling that no one cared about me, I felt myself unnecessary in this world.
'From that time, my attitude turned from dependence into revolting against the system.'
Liu said he was further pushed on with his work when the Chinese authorities shut down his art studio in Beijing in 2005.
He said: 'At that time, contemporary art was in quick development in Beijing, but the government decided it did not want artists like us to gather and live together."
In some ways I suppose Liu Bolin is telling us all, "I dare you to notice me. And I'm going to make it hard for you to notice me. But if on rare occasion you do notice me - you will not be able to ignore me."
And I suppose this is what all true art does. It does not just serve the individual - rather it invites and demands us to twist our heads & see our place in this universe all over again.
What is your art? And what is keeping you from it?
bsp;
