The Ouvroir de biologie potentielle - or Workshop of Potential Biology - is an sculptural installation, a functional mobile laboratory and the general idea of the artistic exploration of potential biologies.During the last centuries, biology as a science was considered to be an analytical, observatory process that is concerned with the ordering and classification of living beings in particular and nature in general. The discovery of the structure of DNA was the starting point of turning biology into an information science, leading up to the current ability to read and write genetic information. Synthetic Biology can be seen as the engineer’s approach to biology, overlaying life with the engineering mindset. Oubiopo wants to overcome the limitations of the possible biologies and create speculations of the potential ones.
The Oubiopo installation merges a traditional japanese food stall (屋台), with the necessary tools and basic equipment that make up a biology lab. The resulting Yatai-Laboratory (屋台ラブ) combines the ethos of Kitchen Biotech, DIY and DIWO Biology, creating a place of potential possibilities and continuous experimentations. Oubiopo as an idea searches for new structures, patterns and life-forms which can be used by artists, biologists and the public in any way they enjoy.
Oubiopo also allures to the original ideas of Oulipo by imposing constraints and restrictions on the tools and bio-media, thus forcing the residents of Oubiopo to invent creative work-arounds and serendipitous discoveries. The space is a self-sufficient self-contained space, a starting point for a wider engagement with art and biology. Oubiopo will also host a series of workshops and micro-residencies of artists and scientists that will be held during the exhibition period.
Every day from February 13th - March 22nd at Institute Français, Tokyo