Bioartists

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A group of creators who engage in the intersection of art and biology through the use of living organisms and biotechnological techniques
2. Individuals who explore the aesthetic and conceptual possibilities of biological materials while often critiquing ethical implications
3. Practitioners who utilize scientific methods and tools in artistic expression, potentially invoking discussions around life, nature, and the environment

Etymology: Bioartists are a recent coinage, not an old word with a long past. The compound is "bio-" plus "artist," and the "bio-" element comes from Greek "bios," meaning "life," which entered English scientific vocabulary in the 19th century through combining forms such as "biology." The pairing with "artist" is a modern invention, reflecting the late 20th-century movement in which artists began working with living tissue, microorganisms, and genetic material as their medium rather than paint or stone. The noun has no meaning shift to speak of: it still means exactly what its parts suggest, a person who makes art with biological materials or processes. Its usage became common in the 1990s and 2000s as artists such as Eduardo Kac, known for transgenic work, and the Tissue Culture and Art Project in Australia drew wider attention to the practice. The term is therefore best understood as a plain, transparent formation, built from an ancient Greek root and a modern English noun to name a very recent kind of artistic work.

Synonyms: biological artists, biotech artists