George Gessert

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

George Gessert is one of the best-known artists in the contemporary art movement known as bio-art a/k/a BioArt. Initially Gessert began his career as a painter and printmaker, and began breeding plants as an artform in the late 1970s. Beginning in the 1980s, his work has focused on the overlap between art and genetics, and he has exhibited a series of installations of hybrids and documentation of breeding projects.

[edit] Technique

Gessert creates his artistic irises by hybridizing wild varieties and discarding the undesirable results. He is especially interested in plant aesthetics and ways that human aesthetic preferences affect evolution. Gessert calls his practice "genetic folk art," and his work points to the way nature is interpreted -- even authored -- by humans.

[edit] Awards

He has received various awards, including the Leonardo Award for Excellence and the Pushcart prize for his essay titled "Notes on Uranium Weapons and Kitsch." His article "An Orgy of Power" was included in Best American Essays 2007. He is also an Editorial Board Member of Leonardo Magazine published by M.I.T.