FABULOUS FABBERS — GHOST ESTATE EDITION

David Benqué (UK)

Profile 

David Benque is a research associate in the Design Interactions Group at the Royal College of Art.

One of the subjects he works with is Synthetic Biology, a relatively new scientific field. His work is a type of science communication and aims to get people to question and critically evaluate synthetic biology using objects. It offers a space for the imagination to flow and dialogue to begin.

About the artwork 

In the face of impending climate crises, environmentalists are becoming increasingly polarised in their ideas and beliefs. Bio-Conservatives argue for a curbing of consumption, a return to Nature and are suspicious of new technologies. Techno-Progressives on the other hand adopt an optimistic trust in progress, and promise to solve problems with newer and better technologies.

However, a number of emerging factors suggest possible alternatives for the relationship between environmentalism and science. Among these are the DIYBIO or Biopunk movements and the campaign for open access to science, as well as efficient, headless and cell-based networks of activists such as Anonymous.