Jackie Stevens

 

Brooke Marcy

 

A summery of The Industry Behind the Curtain by Jackie Stevens.

 

 

The essay by Jackie Stevens looks at how biotech companies are using art to desensitize the public and boost the reputation of the industry.  Artistic representations of the developments in biotechnology, whether disturbing or not, make the industry more tangible and less mysterious, which in turn adds credibility and helps placate viewer distrust. The viewer is reassured about the seriousness with which biotechnology is being examined and the permanence of the industry.

 

The man behind the exhibition Paradise Now: Picturing the Genetic Revolution, Howard Sein, believes he can change public opinion about genetic advancement by translating science into art, thus making it more accessible to the public. He theorizes that the more the public is exposed to artistic interpretations and positive exhibition related materials, the more willing they are to accept advancements and even feel positively towards the industry.  He uses backers like GMF and his own charitable organization JGS to add additional credibility to the show, which translates into credibility for the industry