William Myers on biodesign, technology, and post-pandemic aesthetics

William Myers, a US-born biodesign expert based in Amsterdam, discusses the intersection of biology, technology, and design. In 2012 he curated 'Biodesign: Nature + Science + Creativity' (published by MoMA in the US, Thames & Hudson elsewhere), featuring over 70 projects using living materials. In 2015 he published 'Bio Art: Altered Realities' on contemporary art's use of microorganisms. His latest curatorial work is '(UN)REAL' at Science Gallery Rotterdam, exploring technology's impact on reality perception. In a virtual lecture for MEET digital culture research center, Myers argued that technology reflects societal values, currently dominated by capitalism, making us efficient workers/consumers rather than supporting healthier lives. He cited Scape's 'living barrier' of oysters for MoMA's 'Rising Currents' exhibition and the living root bridges of Meghalaya, India, as examples of biology-technology synthesis. On COVID-19's impact, he predicts a return to hygiene aesthetics (white, machine-inspired) and accelerated shift to screen-based and VR/AR experiences. He hopes for better remote collaboration platforms. Regarding hyper-localization, he sees insect farming as promising. Myers emphasizes not wasting the crisis to redesign public spaces, referencing Justin Davidson's New York Magazine article.