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Work Title
DNA Vending Machine
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Work Title（EN）
DNA Vending Machine
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Please describe the concept of your artwork in 2000 words.
The DNA Vending Machine is an art installation by Gabe Barcia-Colombo used to raise awareness of our increasing access to biotechnology.
Vending machines generally sell snacks, beverages or sticks of gum but this vending machine sells human DNA, a small liquid synthesized sample of genetic material.
Each sample comes packaged with a collectable portrait of the human specimen. The project draws comparisons between “blind box” collectible toys and human genetics. “Blind box” toys are sealed limited edition collectible figurines packaged randomly with many variations. DNA vending machine treats human DNA as a collectible material and also brings to light recent legal issues over the ownership of one’s DNA. The DNA vending machine was featured at the V&A Museum in a show called “What is Luxury” -
Please describe the concept of your artwork in 2000 words. （EN）
The DNA Vending Machine is an art installation by Gabe Barcia-Colombo used to raise awareness of our increasing access to biotechnology.
Vending machines generally sell snacks, beverages or sticks of gum but this vending machine sells human DNA, a small liquid synthesized sample of genetic material.
Each sample comes packaged with a collectable portrait of the human specimen. The project draws comparisons between “blind box” collectible toys and human genetics. “Blind box” toys are sealed limited edition collectible figurines packaged randomly with many variations. DNA vending machine treats human DNA as a collectible material and also brings to light recent legal issues over the ownership of one’s DNA. The DNA vending machine was featured at the V&A Museum in a show called “What is Luxury” -
Work Specification
Vending machine size variable. Human DNA. Machinable Plastic. Glass vials.
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Work Specification（EN）
Vending machine size variable. Human DNA. Machinable Plastic. Glass vials.
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Media CoverageURL
https://www.dezeen.com/2014/03/13/genetic-engineering-will-be-as-accessible-as-3d-printing-says-dna-vending-machine-designer/
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Video URL
https://vimeo.com/277365172
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Your OfficialURL (Website, Instagram, Facebook)
http://www.gabebc.com
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Please describe how your work relates to the theme of the special prize.
"Creation is an experiment in democracy" is one way you are describing the theme of your special prize. The DNA Vending Machine is just this, a question of the ownership of ones own DNA. The piece seeks to question the ownership of our own genetic material as a luxury item or blindbox toy. What would a world be like where we consume, trade and share our genetic material like any commodity? The DNA Vending machine is not purely speculative design, people have purchased many samples from the machine itself leading us to question why someone would want to buy another person's biological material?
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DNA Vending Machine
Others
The DNA Vending Machine is an art installation by Gabe Barcia-Colombo used to raise awareness of our increasing access to biotechnology.
Vending machines generally sell snacks, beverages or sticks of gum but this vending machine sells human DNA, a small liquid synthesized sample of genetic material.
Each sample comes packaged with a collectable portrait of the human specimen. The project draws comparisons between “blind box” collectible toys and human genetics. “Blind box” toys are sealed limited edition collectible figurines packaged randomly with many variations. DNA vending machine treats human DNA as a collectible material and also brings to light recent legal issues over the ownership of one’s DNA. The DNA vending machine was featured at the V&A Museum in a show called “What is Luxury”
Vending machines generally sell snacks, beverages or sticks of gum but this vending machine sells human DNA, a small liquid synthesized sample of genetic material.
Each sample comes packaged with a collectable portrait of the human specimen. The project draws comparisons between “blind box” collectible toys and human genetics. “Blind box” toys are sealed limited edition collectible figurines packaged randomly with many variations. DNA vending machine treats human DNA as a collectible material and also brings to light recent legal issues over the ownership of one’s DNA. The DNA vending machine was featured at the V&A Museum in a show called “What is Luxury”
