We Began as Part of the Body
We Began as Part of the Body is a mixed reality artwork and series of research artworks inspired the eczema genetic research laboratory of Professor Sara Brown, (University of Dundee) where Beverley undertook an artist residency in 2017 organised by ASCUS Art & Science. The residency involved spend time observing the activities of the lab and the organotypic artificial skin cells, which are both real and synthetic. Taken from an actual person (via tummy tucks, breast surgery, etc), the cells are processed and maintained outside of the body. Genes are changed, tweaked, to create eczema skin. Almost indescribably similar and different from the cells that exist within our actual body.
Beverley created a series of experimental artworks in response: a 6mins spoken word sound piece written in response to interviews with the lab staff, 3D prints of organotypic, artificially cultivated skin cells enlarged to 2000 times larger than life and 360 degrees photography of the lab. The script for the sound piece, written from the point of view of the artificial skill cells, leads the audience through the cells journey, during their short, precious, three weeks long 'in-vitro' life, from operating theatre to lab, and finally to disposal.
The artworks became a library of materials, an initial stage towards creating a mixed reality experience. Added to by LIDAR scans of the ASCUS Lab, at Summerhall, Edinburgh, the project materials are combined to present audiences with an immersive encounter with the artificial cell cultures and their lived, disembodied experience. For Dyscorpia 2.1, the 3D model of the skin cells is accompanied by the voice skin cells.
Beverley Hood
Beverley Hood is an Edinburgh based artist, born in Darlington, England. She trained in Sculpture and Electronic Imaging at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art, Dundee and Nova Scotia College of Art & Design, Canada.
Since the mid 1990’s she has interrogated the impact of technology on the body, relationships and human experience through the creation of digital media and performance arts projects, and writing. She has worked collaboratively on numerous occasions, developing projects involving a range of practitioners, including medical researchers, scientists, writers, technologists, dancers, actors and composers.
Her projects have been performed, screened and exhibited at leading international venues and events, including: Stockholm Kulturhuser; V & A Digital Futures; Talbot Rice Gallery; Edinburgh Art Festival; LifeSpace - Science Art Research Gallery; ISEA; Edinburgh International Festival; CCA Glasgow; Institute of Contemporary Art, London; Cornerhouse, Manchester; and it was shortlisted for the New Technological Art Award 2014 - Update_5, at the Zebrastraat Museum, Ghent, Belgium. She has given numerous talks about her creative practice to a range of organisations and audiences in the UK, across Europe and beyond, from the USA, to China, Australia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Beverley is a Reader in Technological Embodiment and Creative Practice, Director of Research and Unit of Assessment REF Coordinator for Design, at Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh, working with colleagues from diverse disciplines including Design Informatics, Performance Costume, Film, Graphic Design and Jewellery. Her teaching responsibilities includes students across the Design, ECA and School of Health and Social Science disciplines from undergraduates, postgraduates, through to PhD candidates.
She is a member of the RAFT(materiality and digital technologies) research group at ECA and the Centre for Creative - Relational Inquiry at the University of Edinburgh, which fosters innovative ‘creative - relational’ qualitative research.
http://lifespace.dundee.ac.uk/artists/beverley-hood
http://www.ascus.org.uk/atopic-experiences-with-residency-artist-beverley-hood/