2/11/2001
The Super Genetic Market
NeMo Museum, Amsterdam
Franco Angeloni presents: "The Super Genetic ®Market" (by M.Turco). At the beginning of the nineties scientists began to map the human genome. In the new millennium every individual genetic characteristic is recognizable inside every chromosome and can be modified. The possibility to 'build' a man, a man-made-man endowed with the qualities society requests, arises dramatic ethical, political and economical problems.
Curated by: The Art Connexion NL
Franco Angeloni presents: "The Super Genetic ®Market" _ (by M.Turco)
At the beginning of the nineties scientists began to map the human
genome.
In the new millennium every individual genetic characteristic is
recognizable inside every chromosome and can be modified.
The possibility to 'build' a man, a man-made-man endowed with the
qualities society requests, arises dramatic ethical, political and
economical problems.
Are there limits to be set in this exploitation of nature? What remains
of man's identity if every aspect of his character can be modified?
The nightmare of a futuristic totalitarism inspired Andrew Niccol's
fanta thriller Gattaca.
In a nearby future prenatal selection of the genes has become usual and
the society is built on the physical and intellectual excellence of its
members.
The 'children of love', naturally conceived, are victim of the 'genetic
racism', because they are not 'perfect' or have a predisposition to
certain diseases. One of them, Vincent Freeman (played by Ethan Hawke),
tries to pass himself off as one of the 'valids' in an attempt to work
his way up the ladder of Gattaca, a space-flight corporation, so that he
can become an astronaut. He borrows stick-on finger prints and urine
samples from a genetically-superior doppelgänger who has been
paralysed in an accident.
Two aspects of this film make us think about the real threats of genetic
engineering: the inevitable spreading of the prenatal genetic selection,
especially for economic reasons, and the absurd, 'mechanistic'
classification of human soul's possibilities and aspirations.
Many intellectuals warned against the eventuality that insurance
companies refuse to make contracts with people who are not genetically
perfect or bear in their genes even a predisposition to a certain
sickness.
Moreover, if we could decide in advance and buy characteristics like the
'artistic feeling', the 'scientific intelligence', the sense of humour,
what would be left of our identity and of the deep reasons of our
choices and actions?
The 'ontological personalism' is an ethical movement which considers the
human life and the genetic heritage untouchable. However, who can mark
the boundary between what is done for therapeutical reasons and the
longing for the 'eugenetic excellence'?
Ethical arguments regard the sensibility and values of our society, more
than scientific and statistic data.
Art is still an important tool which can help to solve this moral
matter. It can provide us with the 'anthropological means' to face the
genetic revolution, to make choices for the real human progress.
Progress which is often imposed on us before we can understand the
consequences.
In the last decade of the 20th century many artists have been inspired
by the 'fantagenetic imagery'. In the sciencefictional nightmare genetic
mutated monsters replace robots and extraterrestrial beings. Or, like in
Damien Hirst's fantasy, living creatures exist in an aseptic zone of
'conservation', between life and death.
Few attention has been paid to less spectacular issues, like the
economic interests linked to the development of genetics and the
identity of the genetically perfect man-made-man.
Everybody will live longer, look better and be healthier in the Gattacan
world. If we can buy all this, we will.
Franco Angeloni's work is a showcase which displays these materialised
objects of desire and visualises a paradoxical situation: it is not 'us'
anymore, our qualities are something we can choose and combine.
The tragicomic play of a man bagging qualities leads to a 'man without
qualities'.
We are spectators of an apparently ironic play. If our conscience is
touched the game becomes sarcastic. It is up to us.
The artist asks us what WE want and packs the product, with
thoughtlessness and optimism. But everything seems too easy. too
artificial.
It is the death of desire, the end of ambitions.
Angeloni is not a moralist, nor an idealist.
On the contrary, playing with the mechanism and the language of the
market he shows a sane attitude towards the consumistic society.
There are no neurosis, atrocities, demonizations of the advertising
strategies. We CAN choose. We can leisurely go towards our future. The
'genetic ghosts' are exorcised.
Finally, the mankind will always be the same, for better or worse.
(© M.Turco 2001)
Saturday 03 November 2001 from 22.00 Hour
NeMo Museum __ Oosterdok 2 _ Amsterdam (NL)