genetically modified egg by dominic wilcox
‘genetically modified egg’ by dominic wilcoximage © dominic wilcox
presented at the contemporary and modern art museum of trento and rovereto (mart) in italy is a novel concept by british designer dominic wilcox. the idea for a ‘genetically modified egg cup’ is aimed at placing a spotlight on the possibilities, both positive and negative, of genetic modification. GM is a very real part of contemporary society and will take human and animal life into unpredictable directions in our future world. wilcox believes it is important that we raise discussion on every step of the scientific progress in order to make sure we, as a culture, use the positive aspects of these discoveries while avoiding the potential dangers. the all-in-one egg and cup is one small example of potential uses of GM in order to make everyday life a little bit easier. wilcox ponders a future where the redesign of organic life such as fruit and plants may take on new shapes and forms that accommodate our lives more appropriately. with his project, wilcox also brings up the prospective issues surrounding public concern of problems generated from GM intervention – from one solution a problem also can arise – what is the fate of a hen that needs to lay a cube-shaped egg?
the sketch describes one of wilcox’s ideas for GM food is a fish with a loop for easier fishingimage © dominic wilcox
…or perhaps square peas to stop them rolling away image © dominic wilcox
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the work is part of an exhibition ‘the food project. the shape of taste‘ curated by beppe finessi at the MaRT/ museo di arte moderna e contemporanea di trento e rovereto. the show presents the art of industrial projects and experimental design applied to food. open to public from february 9 to june 2, 2013.
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the artist draws from the complexity of human connections to both each other and the natural world.
the artist draws from the complexity of human connections to both each other and the natural world.
well, that’s a serious misunderstanding of how genetic modification works…
No! GMO’s profit no one.. get back to natural, our world is already suffering because of gm products with bee colonies collapsing and mono-cultures creating super bugs.. its all BAD!!
I understand the concept, but on a practical level i have to: yes, let’s genetically modify fish to catch them easier, because we aren’t catching enough right now. and yes, square peas, because if there’s one epidemic sweeping the globe it’s a pea deficiency due to their dang spherical shapes clashing with our two dimensional utensils. maybe a 3D fork would be worth exploring, with a matrix of prongs. as far as the egg… poor chicken (the square peg goes in the round…wait)! oh GM-products
the previous commenters clearly don’t really understand the concept of this … It is a cynical provocation and a metaphor to the absurdity of GMO …
human brains are to be genetically Modified, not the rest of the world
but chickens are informed?
Maybe it’s possible change the shapes with another techniques. OvO design by Jordi Pla Studio for Lékué is a good example:
http://www.jplastudio.com/portfolio/ovo-lekue-barcelona-2011/
poor hen :o(
like square peas though. you could make little sculptures on your plate and they’d come in square pea pods. :o)
What a great idea Dominic! This will make egg cups a thing of the past – just imagine the savings in recources!
Nature is perfect and if anyone wants to modify anything it’s because he didn’t understand it at all!
PS: Use a spoon for eating peas! -_-
It is a nice and funny artistic idea to play with those concepts: GM + design. And as hahaz said: “It is a cynical provocation and a metaphor to the absurdity of GMO”.
Technological advances in the field of genetic modified organisms cannot achieve that, and the scope of the research in that field is not going towards that direction. Although those shapes could be achived throught food chemistry
No, no, no, no!!!
Before changing the eggs, change the human brain to create more people HUMANITIES and sensitive.
I don’t see the point in re-conceptualizing something if it’s a bad idea and/or not funny and/or a really horrible photoshopping job.
Anything done to “genetically modify” the bird’s hole that drops this weird new shaped egg……………………???
then again if you really want your boiled egg square, there’s always ebay.
http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/300855409066?var=lv<yp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&adtype=pla&crdt=0
poor chicken…
Not sure GM.
There’s quite a few people(who’ve commented)who don’t
Get the just. It’s a Metaphor to create awareness, not for
Or against GMO’s but rather to become mindful.
It’s not mean’t to be functional( 3D folk guy) or morally conscious. Please people
Read, Think it through then Comment.
Discussions of genetics will always be fascinating, but it is not our field decide such alterations. Especially so unimportant example, who really affects you eat square or round peas ? Why not raise the design intervention in medical things like prosthetics for the disabled, new eyes for the blind.
An interesting approach to it, but with poor concept development.
Genetically modifying an egg to be square is not necessary: eggs are soft and malleable when they are hatched and harden once outside the chicken (ask anyone who grew up with chickens). A freshly-hatched egg could be placed in a mold to make the base ‘square’, no GM required.
I understand that the artist is trying to provoke thought, discussion, etc on the subject of GMOs, but from my point of view the artwork does not address any of the negative aspects of GMOs. It seems to highlight some humorous concepts surrounding the issue, without ever painting a full picture, so to speak. Judging by the number of posts, the artist has clearly provoked comment, but generally speaking, those with the strongest opinions(at least on this forum) are those who already have strong opinions on GMOs. How is this provoking thought and/or scientific debate, as we are led to believe that the artist intends, if he does not look at the whole issue, and instead only jests with those already in the know? The concept needs to go a few layers deeper for me.
I wonder if pregnant mom’s stomach becomes modified like the egg too? O, it’s for fashion! Same thing for the hen. Poor hen.