This is the course blog for Wet Dreams. Living Machines an elective being run by Boo Chapple in Industrial Design, at RMIT University, Melbourne.
Course Concept:
Since the earliest civilisations, humans have harnessed biological processes to their needs. In contemporary society, biological processes are and will become even more integrated into systems of industrial and pharmaceutical production, waste management, recycling and construction. The increasing focus on sustainable ways of living and the popular return of ‘DIY’ means that individual consumers are also engaging more home based biological processes in their daily lives from home brewery and kitchen bench herb gardens, to composting toilets and worm farms. In parallel to this, the ability to manipulate life at the molecular scale continues to lead to new and often challenging innovations in the life sciences which, in turn, are increasingly being made available to the consumer.
What does the biotech future hold?
What kind of products may this changing industrial, biological, social landscape inspire?
What new challenges and styles of life may emerge in this imagined future landscape?
What kind of parameters need to be addressed and controlled when working with biological materials and systems?
What are the different temporarities and behaviours that need to be taken into account?
What new aesthetics come into play when integrating biological processes and technologies into design?
What are some examples of practitioners already grappling with these issues?
Thematic Outline:
Starting at week two these are some of the thematic areas that we will be covering.
Cultivation and Modification
Hands-on:
DIY DNA extraction
Some topics:
History of selective breeding – plants and animals
Genetic engineering basics
Fermentation and Bacterial Production
Hands-on:
Beer and keffirs
Some topics:
Historical and contemporary uses of bacteria
Pharmaceutical production
Bacterial plastics
Containment and Amplification
Hands-on:
Bacteria plates
Some topics:
Tissue culture
Sterility
A world without antibiotics
Ecosystems
Some topics:
Industrial ecology
Bioremediation
Phytoextraction
Science Fictions and Speculative Designs
We will be looking at the work of relevant artists and designers in each thematic block. However, I also want to dedicate some time to looking at how science fiction and speculative design can operate to critique and question new technologies and emerging styles of life. To ask: ‘What does it mean to construct a possible future?’
Learning Outcomes:
Students can expect to gain a basic understanding of some of key biotechnologies, some insight into the history of human manipulation of living systems, and an ability to think about and discuss some of the issues that are at stake with the increasing use of biological technologies in industrial, biomedical and everyday contexts. They will also be exposed various designers and artists dealing who deal with biological technologies in their practice.
Aims and Objectives:
At the end of the course students should be confident discussing certain key biotechnologies. They should be able to demonstrate an understanding of the history of these technologies and be able to discuss the issues that are involved in working with these technologies in design. They should also be able to demonstrate a knowledge of current practice in this area and to articulate what they understand to be the nature and function of speculative design.
Teaching Method:
The course will involve combination of informal lectures, class discussions, reading and reflection (to be posted on the blog), and hands on activities to enable students to get a feel for some of the materials and processes under discussion. Towards the end of semester time will be dedicated to assistance with and feedback on the final assignments.
Marks Breakdown:
Class participation (including blog): 35%
- Participation in class discussions
- Weekly posts to the blog on designated topics
Mid-semester presentation: 15%
- Oral presentation to the class of personal research into selected area(s) of interest to date and how you see that manifesting in your final project.
Final design and presentation: 50%
- This can take the form of booklet, poster, video etc..
- It should involve a speculative design for a ‘biotech future’ of your own choosing. Particular consideration should be given to how your selected technology or issue might impact on future ways of living.
