Andrew Gracie
DEEP DATA PROTOTYPE_1, 2009
Andrew Gracie
United Kingdom / Spain
Mixed media installation (custom PDMS magnetic device, microscope with camera, software, electronics, tardigrades)
Andrew Gracie (UK/ES). The Deep Data prototype_1, 2009. Research project in progress, image courtesy the artist. 2012 Photo by Andrew Gracie
Deep Data prototype_1 forms the first stage of the long term Deep Data project, which uses data from deep space probes to recreate elements of solar system environments within cultures of organisms currently used in astrobiology research. The piece uses magnetometer data from the Pioneer and Voyager probes to recreate magnetic field experiments on cultures of polyextremophile tardigrades, an organism which has already proven it can survive the harsh space environment.
Biography
Andy Gracie (b. 1967, Taplow, England) works across various disciplines including installation, robotics, sound, video and biological practice. This work is situated in the fuzzy and problematic trianglebetween the arts, technology and the sciences, creating situations of exchange between natural and artificial systems. Recently his work has begun to reflect cultural associations with the science of astrobiology. Often fusing a DIY approach to scientific practice his work fuses metaphor, poetry and investigation into pieces that probe ideas of systems, otherness and the future of life. His work has been shown across Europe as well as the USA, Japan, Mexico, China and Australia and has included special commissions for new works. His installation Autoinducer_ph-1 has received honorable mentions from VIDA (2007) and Ars Electronica (2007). He has also presented at numerous conferences and seminars internationally, has written and published a number of articles and papers for books and magazines, and continues to provide a range of teaching, lecturing and workshop activities internationally. He is one of three founder members of Hackteria, an online resource and workshop program for the DIY bio-artist and enthusiast.
