Bio-Art as a Philosophical Experiment

My paper consists of two “layers.” First of all, building on two key examples (one taken from the 17th and one from the 19th century), I will point out that, from a historical perspective, collaboration and dialogue between art and science should be regarded as the normal case rather than as the exception. Their segregation into two separate “cultures” is a fairly recent phenomenon, - and another iron curtain in the process of collapsing. Both art and science should be regarded as experimental endeavours. The experimental design is what they have in common. Subsequently, the focus will shift to the 2.6h 329 m/s artwork as a case study. From a philosophical perspective I will explore what this exhibit actually achieves in the boundary zone between arts, science and society.