future mix » about

Future Mix is an engaging and topical web-resource for young people on current advancements in genetic research. The project has also included an artist and scientist school residency, a series of public events focusing on transgenic research and advanced biotechnology and a series of art/science activities. The project offers a fresh approach to the potentials, challenges, and questions of this cutting edge research, explored through art.

Genetic research across species is at the forefront of public debate. The significance and implications of inter-species genetic manipulation are far-reaching both in terms of science and of social, ethical and cultural concerns. In engaging with the topic Future Mix aims to generate discussion on transgenic research among a young audience through the arts.

Future Mix considers the past, present and future of genetic research and medical applications, including themes such as animal cloning, regenerative medicine, life extension and synthetic biology. The project asks what are the boundaries between human and non-human, nature and artefact, science and art. Its purpose is to inform as well as critically and imaginatively engage with the subject.

During a residence at South Camden Community School, artist Carl Stevenson, scientist Chris Mason and sociologist Sarah Franklin collaborate with year 10 pupils over the period of a term, to explore the themes of Future Mix through scientific presentations and artistic experiments. The project culminates in a web-artwork created by the pupils who collaborated on the project, and a series of events, including lectures and an exhibition. A downloadable series of information sheets with related creative activities has now been developed out of the Future Mix school residency programme, and is freely available to all here.

Future Mix brings together art and science inventively and playfully. We see this as just the start of a longer journey for imagining the future.

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team

PROJECT TEAM

Artakt, part of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design, University of the Arts, London, conceived and managed the project. The Artakt team curates and manages interdisciplinary exhibitions and research projects at a national and international level in the field of art and science/culture. It also fosters and manages artists�?? interdisciplinary collaborations. Future Mix is directed by Dr. Caterina Albano and managed by Rowan Drury. See more of Artakts work at: www.artakt.co.uk and www.universalleonardo.org

Professor Sarah Franklin, Chair in Anthropology of Science and acting director of BIOS at The London School of Economics, devised and presented several of the classroom sessions. Franklin researches and publishes on reproductive and genetic technologies. She has conducted fieldwork on IVF, cloning, embryo research, and stem cells. Her work combines traditional anthropological approaches, including both ethnographic methods and kinship theory, with more recent approaches from science studies, gender theory, and cultural studies. Her recent publications include Biological Relatives: substance, interiority, and the genealogical frontier (In production); Dolly Mixtures: the remaking of genealogy, Duke University Press (2007); Born and Made: an ethnography of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (with Celia Roberts) Princeton University Press (2006). www.lse.ac.uk/collections/BIOS

Dr Chris Mason MBBS PhD FRCS, Group Leader Stem Cell + Regenerative Medicine Bioprocessing Unit Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering, University College London, devised and presented the classroom sessions. Dr. Chris Mason is a recognised leader in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine. Originally trained as a surgeon, today Chris leads the Regenerative Medicine Bioprocess Group of 20+ researchers in the Advanced Centre for Biochemical Engineering at University College London. His research group focuses on the vital aspect of the translation of stem cell and regenerative medicine science into routine clinical practice. In addition, Chris is also a member of the Steering Committee for the newly founded UK National Stem Cell Network and was the Mission Leader for the UK Department of Trade and Industry�??s Global Watch Mission, �??Advanced Cell & Tissue Therapies�?� which visited the West Coast of the USA in September 2006.

Carl Stevenson, filmmaker and artist, devised the creative activities with the pupils and facilitated the creation of the artworks. He directed From Where I am Standing (2005) a dance film shown on Channel 4, and Contamination (2003), Canal + and ArTV. Contamination was awarded best British film at the 2004 London Animation Festival. Recent artworks include Waiting Room, an installation for Transport for London as part of the Platform for Art series 2007, and art projects with a focus on social engagement Air Castles, South London Gallery 2006, and Diverse Canvas, Whitechapel Gallery 2005. Stevenson also collaborated with Theatre Rites for The Thought that Counts, Bite Festival 2006 Barbican Art Centre.

Mike Flynn, Education Consultant, was the writer for the Future Mix activities. A former curator at the Science Museum in London, he has published widely in the fields of science, technology and education. He has also written a number of successful publications while acting as a commercial copywriter for companies such as BP, BT and Guinness. He is currently working as an educational computer games designer for the BBC.

PARTNERS

South Camden Community School (SCCS), the Future Mix School partner, is a Specialist Arts College based in Somers Town, Camden, which specialises in Drama, Art and Music. SCCS is a mixed comprehensive of 1077 students (11-18). As an Arts College all departments in the school are given opportunities to work with creative partners to deliver the curriculum through creative activities. This project fulfils a number of aims for our schools through collaborating with local HE institutions, cultural organisations and creative partners with a group of students that have chosen additional science at GCSE level.

The Royal Institution (RI), the Future Mix events partner, has been 'diffusing science for the common purposes of life' for over 200 years. A range of activities take place in London and across the UK, from events for schools and young people, including the televised Christmas Lectures, to providing a forum for the general public, through to a heritage programme, a science media centre, and mathematics and science masterclasses. Further information about the Ri's activities can be found at www.rigb.org.

FUNDERS

The Wellcome Trust, Engaging Science award.