rare air 11 | ionat zurr and oron catts

"We said it would be really nice if the first tissue-engineered sculptures to be presented within a cultural context would be a something like a worry doll because it would express our anxieties and worries and the fact that it's not that simple."

Hidden away in the School of Anatomy, Physiology and Human Biology at the University of Western Australia, is SymbioticA.

It's a place where art is created - using living materials and scientific techniques - to make us think about what is happening in the world of biotechnology. Make no mistake, it IS as unique and unusual as it sounds.

It's founders, Oron Catts and Dr Ionat Zurr are celebrated around the world for their pioneering works, including making the first piece of in-vitro meat and the victimless leather jacket which had to "die" spectacularly in the Museum of Modern Art on New York where it made it's debut.

Catts and Zurr. partners in work and life and parents of two daughters, have recently been appointed to the Royal College of Art in London but will divide their time between the college and SymbioticA.

View the photo essay
Read the explainer

Theme Music Les Jeunes Pousses by Françoiz Breût
Production music  Robodub  - Self Harmonia – Robodub
Graham Bole – Origami – First New Day

Recorded in studio at RTRFM, Mount Lawley, Western Australia
Mixed by Adrian Sardi – The Vault Audio Post Production

"We said it would be really nice if the first tissue-engineered sculptures to be presented within a cultural context would be a something like a worry doll because it would express our anxieties and worries and the fact that it's not that simple."