In this episode of Becoming Artsy, Jessie continues her journey of learning to appreciate art by going behind-the-scenes of a unique art installation: The Use of Life (In Relation to the Industry of Men) with artist and professor Oron Catts. In their installation, Oron and collaborator Ionat Zurr explore how humans have used animal products throughout history. They highlight the recent endeavors of growing animal meat and milk in science laboratories with a unique centerpiece, which sparks an exciting revelation for Jessie on how to appreciate and understand art and art exhibitions, especially those that feel a little more puzzling at first glance. The Use of Life was just one of several synthetic biology-themed art installations in a PST Art exhibition called Emergence: Art from Life, produced by Fathomers and exhibited at the Japanese American Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California, Fall 2024. The Use of Life installation was inspired by the book: The Uses of Animals in Relation to the Industry of Man: Being a Course of Lectures Delivered at the South Kensington Museum, by E. Lankester, first published in 1860 To learn more about this installation out the The Use of Life project page on the Fathomers’ website: https://www.fathomers.org/news/theuse..., and to learn more about all of the interesting projects Fathomers produces as a creative research institute, check out their home page here: https://www.fathomers.org To explore more of Oron Catts and Ionat Zurr’s work, check out the Tissue Culture and Art project website: https://tcaproject.net and the website of their last project Biomess (which is also so cool): https://biomess.art/.
Getty has joined forces with Smarthistory to bring you an in-depth look at select works within our collection, whether you want to learn more at home or make art more accessible in your classroom. This video series illuminates art history concepts through fun, unscripted conversations between art historians, curators, archaeologists, scientists, and artists, committed to a fresh take on the history of visual arts.
Watch videos of a selection of talks, lectures, symposia, performances and other programs at the Getty in 2025.
Carved carnelians, painted parchment, finessed flesh tones... explore art techniques in these videos