Public BioArt Laboratory

Research and creation residency program

Public BioArt Laboratory

June to September 2009

Published articles:
Brandon Ballengée :: Monstres Sacrés
À vos bottes! Prêts! Partez!
Il pleut, il mouille, c’est la fête à la grenouille…
Tout, tout, tout, vous saurez tout sur les grenouilles… et les crapauds !

The aims of this residency are to develop public working biology and art laboratory investigating deformities in native Quebec amphibian species. Quebec is considered one of the regions in North America were abnormalities appear to occur at high frequencies and to date no definitive cause has been proven. Together the public, volunteers and the bio-artist will conduct a series of controlled experiments to better understand the mechanisms responsible for deformed frogs in Quebec. The results of these experiments will be disseminated to the scientific community and images along with video will be further developed into an exhibition.

The occurrence of deformities or malformations in natural populations of amphibians has been a major environmental issue for more than a decade. Of the over 5,000 species of known amphibians, about one-third of them are threatened, critically endangered or already extinct. Amphibian deformities have been found six continents and maybe increasing. The cause(s) for amphibian deformation remains scientifically controversial but the primary agents being investigated are parasitic trematode infection, chemical pollution, ultraviolet radiation and predation-induced injury, or a potential combination between these.

Open to public and school groups during scheduled hours, the SAT laboratory will create a unique opportunity for non-scientists to see firsthand how some types of scientific experiments are conducted. The laboratory will be a place for discussions and presentations about local amphibians, bioart and other topics such as the complex ethical implications of trans-disciplinary art/ bio-activism that involves living organisms. From a theoretical standpoint, this project will explore the trans-disciplinary art practice relation with primary scientific research and give the public an opportunity to express their opinions.

Peri-metamorphic English toads collected in Yorkshire, England in 2006. Though from England, these deformed toads are similar to some of the types reported in Quebec amphibians over the past decade. English studies 2006-2009 commissioned by the Arts Catalyst, London

People visiting 2008 Public BioArt Laboratory at Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield, England. Photograph by Craig Gent June 2008

DFB 42, Êléktra Ozomène
Scanner Photograph of Cleared and Stained Multi-limbed Pacific Tree frog from Aptos, California in Scientific Collaboration with Stanley K. Sessions. MALAMP titles in collaboration with the poet KuyDelair.
H 46 inches x W 34 inches
Unique IRIS print on watercolor paper, 2008
Courtesy the artist and Archibald Arts, New York, New York

Biography

Since 1996, Brandon Ballengée has been exploring the boundaries between ecological art, research biology and environmental education. These studies have involved collaborations with numerous members of the public, scientific researchers and artists. An area of focus has been the occurrence of developmental deformities and population decline in amphibians.

He has conducted field and laboratory investigations throughout the Americas and in England and in 2001, was nominated for membership into Sigma XI, the Scientific Research Society. His ecological artworks have been exhibited internationally included in the 2004 Geumgang Nature Art Biennale in Kung Ju, South Korea the Waterways Project, which was installed at the 2005 Venice Biennale, Biennale for Electronic Arts Perth 07 in Australia, film screenings as part of the 3rd Moscow Biennale in Russia, and the Biotechnique at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco. A forthcoming book on his work with amphibians will debut in 2010 published by the Arts Catalyst, London England.