The Absence of Alice #5
The Absence of Alice and the Elasticity of the Almost forms part of The Absence of Alice to explore themes of life, death, and transformation. Developed as part of a residency at Symbiotica, the Centre of Excellence in Biological Arts at the University of Western Australia in 2010, this body of work draws on the artist’s experience of isolating cells from two fetal calves, Kira and Rama. The exhibition references the isolation process, their state of frozen suspension and their eventual resurrection and anticipated immortalisation via bioechnologal means.
Central to the exhibition is the notion of “elasticity of the almost”—a phrase coined by philosopher Erin Manning to describe the moment in movement between the past and potential futures. This concept is brought to life through works that include preserved organs, miniature dioramas, live butterfly chrysalises, and projections of cellular growth, each element blending the real and the symbolic to evoke a sense of suspended animation and latent potential.
The central piece, Evoking the Dead: A Meditation for Kira and Rama, uses sound from a singing bowl to animate time-lapse footage of the cells, engaging viewers in the metaphorical "resurrection" of Kira and Rama. The exhibition aims to evoke both wonder and horror, highlighting the eerie reality of extracting life from deceased bodies, provoking reflection on the transformative power and ethical complexities of biotechnological processes.
PROJECT PARTNERS: The Absence of Alice and the Elasticity of the Almost was developed in a creative partnership between The Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI) and The Creative Industries Faculty (CIF) at QUT, Brisbane (Aus). Completion of works would not be possible without the support from the Tissue Repair and Regeneration (TRR) Group and CIF technical staff. Special thanks to Dr Tony Parker, Dr Derek Van Lonkhuyzen and Jacqui McGovern from IHBI and visual arts technician Michael Riddle. Many thanks are also extended to: Dr Dan Mafe, Dr Courtney Pedersen and Prof. Zee Upton.
The project also forms part of The Immortalisation of Kira and Rama which was researched and developed during a residency at Symbiotica, the Centre of Excellence in Biological Arts in the School of Anatomy & Human Biology at The University of Western Australia. Production of this works relied on expert input from Symbiotica staff, The Tissue Culture and Art Project (Oron Catts and Ionat Zurr) and research scientists. Thank you.
