Hybrids, Chimeras and Other Monsters

Hybridity is one of the most fashionable words in modern society; it is used to describe culture, architecture, media, medicine and even car engines. Thinking about mythological creatures such as the centaur and Cyclops, and the fears and anxieties those represented and tried to exorcise, hybridity shows a long and fascinating history. Only since the latest future man instead of god produces those chimeras. What is the etymology of the word and how it functions both literally and metaphorically in the era of technoscience? What is the attitude of art practitioners to hybridity? And how does the art relate to the industry of those hybrids, chimeras and their kin.

Lecture Joanne Jesman, interview Laura Mudde, interviewee Guy Ben-Ary, moderation Lucas Evers.

"Living tissues and living issues" is a series of three evenings presented by the Open Wet Lab. that looks at how technology shapes new relations between organisms and in turn how technology is shaped by those organisms. From an artistic, academic and sociopolitical perspective we look at issues of hybridity, performativity and food as these seemingly unrelated topics have a very strong influence on how we perceive the Other and each other in modern society.

"Living tissues and living issues" is part of The Future of Art and Science Collaborations, a joint project of Waag Society and Stichting Toekomstbeeld der Techniek, supported by the Mondriaanfund and Doen.