A project by Oliver Ressler
Exhibition at Forum Stadtpark, Graz
Bill poster series in Graz
Warning signs: Galerie Artelier (Graz), Galerie Fotohof (Salzburg), Galerie Klemens Gasser & Tanja Grunert (Cologne), Generali Foundation (Vienna), Kunstraum Lueneburg, Kunstraum Muenchen (Munich), MAK (Vienna), NGBK (Berlin), Neuer Kunstverein Aachen, Raum aktueller Kunst (Vienna), Shedhalle (Zurich)
Oliver Ressler has compiled a critical inventory of the public treatment of discussions surrounding gene technology. The artist’s project is conceived as a counterbalance to five “Gen-Welten” (Gene-Worlds) exhibitions taking place at present (Kunst- und Ausstellungshalle der Bundesrepublik Deutschland in Bonn, Deutsches Hygiene-Museum in Dresden etc.).
The text reads: Contrary to previous claims by industry and science, genetically engineered plants can establish themselves in the ecosystem and alter it. Manipulated genes can infest microorganisms and genetically manipulated plants can cross with wild and cultivated plants. Once released, these organisms and their manipulated genes spread uncontrollably and irreversibly. These genetically manipulated organisms and the newly constructed genes cannot be brought back to the safe confines of the laboratory. CAUTION – BIOHAZARD!
Ressler’s exhibition project “geGen-Welten: Widerstände gegen Gentechnologien” (anti Gene-Worlds: Oppositions to Genetic Engineering) comprises of three integral parts. A poster series with warning references in Graz, warning signs put up in various art institutions in Germany, Switzerland and Austria (in the Galerie und Edition Artelier in Graz, the Generali Foundation in Vienna, the NGBK in Berlin, the Shedhalle in Zurich, etc.) and the exhibition at Forum Stadtpark. The exhibition presents information material such as pamphlets, manifestos and information brochures of organizations critical of genetic engineering. The show is arranged in single thematic areas, such as genetic engineering in agriculture, genetic engineering and feminism or biological warfare, which are represented comprehensively.
An assault on a genetic engineering laboratory by the militant women’s group “Rote Zora” lead to the crimination of almost all opponents of genetic engineering at the end of the eighties by the economy, political world and media working hand in hand. “This crimination attaches itself to women who champion radical attitudes towards genetic engineering, who do not even let themselves become integrated in predetermined discussions on the level ‘chances and risks’. Genetic engineering is altogether an instrument of domination and control”, as one pamphlet puts it.
“anti Gene Worlds: Oppositions to Genetic Engineering”, silkscreen on aluminum, 40 x 40 cm, 1998
The text reads: Biological warfare research takes place, unnoticed by the general public, in the grey areas between medical, veterinary and agricultural research. The use of “civil” research for so-called “biological weapons” clearly demonstrates the dangerous and uncontrollable nature of genetic engineering. Also, genetic engineering is used to develop pathogens such as manipulated anthrax bacteria – against which every possible enemy is absolutely defenseless – and which requires the immunization of the attacking troops. CAUTION – BIOHAZARD!
As the subject is very complicated as a hole, Ressler has included contact addresses of the individual organizations so that interested exhibition visitors can approach them.
(Franz Niegelhell, Neue Zeit, March 22, 1998)