New Citizen*

Dimensions variable

Bacterial nano-cellulose, different species DNA, wax, wood, textile, light, sensors, speakers, and algorithmic sound composition

2018 - in progress

New Citizen* is a speculative bio-fiction. A prosthetic DNA altered bacterial nano-cellulose-skin that I have been growing as a scaffold and tweaking with the help of a molecular biologist and geneticist at his laboratory in Bogota. The skin has three different species’ DNA, including mine. The result is collected, dried and then encapsulated in a specific wax commercially used to produce dental prostheses. The aftermath of this process is a half biological and half synthetic un-taxonomized species’ skin. The main phenotype feature will be given by the animal’s genetic code -my genes will not be as evident to the unaided eye as the other two species’. I wanted to create a horizontal interdependent living-structure where human-animals were not taking the “power” position.

The skin will “touch” through sonic-vibratory waves and electromagnetic impulses and imperceptibly alter/become with the receptor regardless of their embodiment.

> Photographs are from my DNA isolation process at the laboratory, nano-cellulose and wax. Full text/concept and specificities/collaborations will be posted as soon as the formal installation is further developed.