or-nam-ism
n., plural: ornamisms
derived from ‘ornamental organism’
An individual form of life, such as a plant, animal, bacterium, protist, or fungus enhanced by biotechnology for aesthetic or conceptual purposes.

‘The ornamism project’ functions not only as an informative platform for ornamental organisms, but also to the entire world of art that explores the boundaries of the natural world for aesthetic or conceptual goals. Bioart, transgenic art, environmental art; art that is conceived on the borders of what we traditionally accept as nature.

The ornamism project consists of:

/A book combining photography with quotes and articles from famous philosophers, artists and scientist. The book shows in an abstract way the ethical imbalance of biotechnology, how people perceive bioart as the unethical use of these technologies. Manipulation of life is only justifiable when the end result is noble, but who decides what is noble?

/A website
http://www.ornamism.com
where people can explore the subject and all the latest developments. It also functions as a platform for my own work, including a short film.

/An installation consisting out of two photographs interacting with two ‘natural history museum resembling’ display boxes, showing a taxidermic cat consisting out of two different half’s and bottles growing ‘sticks’ deprived of genetic material. These ‘genetically modified’ organisms are accompanied by a nameplate stating their (fictive) patent number, and a long list with existing patents (USPTO) on genetically altered organisms. A comment on the ‘gold rush’ on patenting life, the commercialization of natures building blocks.

/A promotional campaign throughout the Netherlands, consisting of flyers and other merchandise, arousing peoples interest in the subject