BioArt in Italy: From Cell Cultures to DNA Surveillance

BioArt, a hybrid field working with living materials and biological data, is examined as a critical lens on science. In Italy, Pietro Antonio Bernabei (1948-2023), a hematologist and artist, pioneered bioartistic practices using cell cultures. The PAV – Parco Arte Vivente in Turin presents 'Greenhouse (Winter),' showing fragile nature mediated by human intervention. The MUSE in Trento hosts the BioArt Challenge, fostering direct artist-scientist collaboration. Cosimo Veneziano's 'Biomega' (2022, MUFOCO) investigates biotech patents through serigraphs and embroideries. Initiatives like 'Simbiosi Poetica' in Florence and 'Art&Science Across Italy' (2024-2026, promoted by INFN, CERN, and University of Naples Federico II) continue this trajectory. Internationally, Heather Dewey-Hagborg generates facial portraits from public DNA samples, raising surveillance and privacy issues. Eduardo Kac introduces transgenic life into art. Oron Catts and Ionat Zurr create temporary tissue sculptures. Anna Dumitriu uses bacteria to explore pandemic memory. Jenna Sutela investigates non-human intelligence through microbes. Amy Karle and Candice Lin address colonial and economic implications of biotechnologies. The article argues BioArt exposes the political and material dimensions of scientific knowledge.