Metamorphosis & Design

an art and science research project at the University of Sussex.

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From October 2003 to October 2004 visual artist Heather Barnett worked with diverse research groups in the School of Life Sciences exploring the place of design and transformation in biological systems, immersing herself in laboratory activities and scientific processes.

The research areas range from the nanotechnology of custom designed biofibres to the ‘image display’ of cuttlefish as a means of camouflage and communication, the reconstruction of the evolution of animal body plans at the DNA level, genetic activities during spatial patterning in fruitfly development.

Exploring the contrasts and similarities between biological ‘design’ and accepted aesthetics in society, Heather developed art works aiming to link diverse biological enquiries and capture some of the excitement of contemporary biological research.

This website has documented the project as it has developed, providing insights into the experiments and the exchanges between the artist and the scientists.

Metamorphosis was supported by a joint scheme between the Arts Council of England and the Arts and Humanities Research Board who have funded sixteen major research fellowships across the country for artists and scientists exploring together how art can contribute to science, and science to art,