Transformation of the Traditional Creative Art Studio to an Experimental Bio-Art Studio as a Science Laboratory: A Historical Analysis

Omar Mustafa Abbas & Mohammad Glubb Al-Kinani

Abstract

An art studio is more than just a physical place occupied by the artists to produce works of art. Over the history of art, the studio has undergone experimental transformations within the boundaries of its environment and the art techniques. This has led to the disruption of its concept as an incubator for creativity, leading to a complete transformation from the studio environment with its materials and tools to a scientific laboratory environment. Some of it now employs living organisms artistically in places called ‘bio-art studios.’ This study examines the diverse experimental accumulations that the artists have undergone within the art studios, shifting the traditional art studio to a biological laboratory. The research employs a historical descriptive methodology. It derives data from published documents, specialized exhibition guides, and in-person interviews posted on websites of art organizations and artists in Europe and America between 1990 and 2020. Data is synthesized to map a coherent trajectory of the historical transformation of the art studio. Findings show that the shift from the studio to a laboratory was the outcome of experiments conducted inside the studios by using various materials and equipment. Changes have taken place on the artist's workspaces, which also include the rules to follow stringent safety and preventive protocols when dealing with live organisms in the laboratory. It is concluded that a growing number of organizations and museums show more interest in setting up participatory bio-art laboratories as a method of teaching and a tool for raising cultural and social awareness. In turn, this has resulted in the increased receptivity of science to art and vice versa.

Keywords:

Studio, Laboratory, Experimental Transformation, Interactive participation, Bio-art.

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