Tim Weaver: the Bioartist in Action

Although the concept of biological narrative or even cyber poetics intrigues me, I have a hard time comprehending the scientific ramifications. Maybe it’s the language used, but the process of decoding biological patterns can not be described in terms understandable to me. At this point, I am fascinated with the results of this experimentation, the cinematic effects are innovative, the visual and audio outputs. With regards to Tim Weaver’s terminology, I understood his concepts better in person than the website. What I got out of his lecture was more than just visual stimulation, audio sensations; I witnessed a form of evolution in the digital form.

 

Usually when I think about the natural aspects of our information age, I see a relative loss of organic data, an extinction of biological nature. From the transcoding of biochemical patterns, from this remixing of molecular code, we see a language of impossible comprehension. Where do we even begin to decipher this parallel language of reconfigured design?  Perhaps, with the dynamics of changing technologies, as we see with this type of work, their will be a platform for which the electronic transmissions can translate into more refined displays of expression. My interpretation of this process is that it bridges many gaps in terms of technological change. With the drastic improvement of recording devices, data collection becomes a tool to connect extinct matter with new age information. As with the differences between the sound samples in Latin American and African forests for example, the audio effects might point to greater discoveries in the fields of history and evolutionary biology.

 

  The first thought that came to mind was that the audio recordings were dynamic and rhythmic. I felt a need to connect the sounds with the visuals in a historical context, which has been manipulated by real time cinematics. Just how does the live performance piece together a bionarrative in new media? Or maybe, with the introduction of real time production, the ability to interpret a predetermined set of codes can include real time transformations from an artist’s intentions. The fusion of artistic chemistry with biological data is the idea. I watched the actions of Tim while the work appeared on the screen and was surprised in what I observed. It reminded me of seeing a DJ working on the turntables. Artistically, the recorded biodata serves as source material for the manipulation, reconfiguration and remixing of sound.

 

Hence, the language of this sound mixed with video exposes your senses to new meanings. Such as the combination of previously-recorded video juxtaposed with live performance and sound. This multi-media language magically exposes pre-historical data into present tense. The overall hyper real experience feels like a journey through time. Picture a travelogue in cyberspace. Here you see the intervention of science methodology depicted in bionarratives. Evolved into an immediate reaction both on the artists and the viewer’s part, there becomes a continuation of the story. Once again, how do you interpret this story? It’s so new, so profound. I am mesmerized by the possible outcomes of these experiments. Maybe the DNA structure of humans can be recorded and put into sound. Maybe we can design our own bionarratives in the future as the technologies progress and our creative spirit responds accordingly.