This Thursday Perceptions of Promise: Biotechnology, Society and Art, an exhibition of original artwork and essays that explore the complex legal, ethical and social issues of advancements in life science technologies, stem cell research in particular, makes its Ontario debut at the McMaster Museum of Art. The project brings together nine internationally recognized visual artists with scientists and scholars.

The touring exhibition was inspired by ongoing conversations between a group of artists, scientists, philosophers, sociologists and legal scholars who attended a three-day stem cell research workshop in April 2010. The exchange of ideas extended beyond the workshop to correspondence, drawings, scientific images and research.

Included in the exhibition are a sculpture made from the scans of human embryos, a tent with images of human cells and drawing of one of the artists’ chromosomes.

Without supporting one view of stem cell research over another, the artists prompt viewers to ponder current forms of biotechnology. Rapid advancements in biomedical research are challenging traditional views of the human body and its environment. Genetic and stem cell research, for example, may bring significant improvements to human health and welfare. However, these innovations also raise complex ethical, legal and social questions that society must face. Art has an important role to play in the discourse around biotechnology because it can offer unique articulations of the polarized and often emotionally charged responses the public has towards technology.

The nine artists in the exhibition are:

Derek Besant
Sean Caulfield
Liz Ingram
Bernd Hildebrandt
Shona Macdonald
Royden Mills
Mariléne Oliver
Daniela Schlüter
Clint Wilson

The exhibition continues at the McMaster Museum of Art until March 31, 2012.

Join us for an opening night PANEL DISCUSSION February 9 from 6 – 8 pm