EDUARDO KAC
Starting as a performance artist, Eduardo Kac expanded his range of works by experimenting with technology in art. His first few years saw him exploring holography as new forms of interaction in works. Interested in the possibilities of telematics and telepresence, his new media works began to dive into themes of genetics and new biotechnologies, merging technology, politics and aesthetics .
NEW AREAS OF CONTEMPORARY ART
Kac coined “telepresence art”, “biotelematics” and “transgenic art” as new areas of technological art, shown through his works and writings.
Telepresence art – “merger of telerobotics and communications media”
Biotelematics – “art in which a biological process is intrinsically connected to computer- based telecommunications”
Transgenic art – “art form using genetic engineering to transfer either synthetic genes to an organism or natural genetic material between species so as to create unique living hybrids”
PROMINENT WORKS
“Ornitorrinco” 1989-1998: a telerobot that would respond to signals sent through selected telecommunication devices from different locations, where a remote audience could. (Telepresence art)
“Teleporting An Unknown State” 1994-1996: a system for a plant to grow and live in a gallery, where its light source is provided through viewers of the work on the Internet. Video of an image of the sky in the viewer’s home location is projected onto the plant. (Transgenic art)
“Genesis” 1998-1999 (Biotelematics) – chosen work