Transcrobial incorporates machine learning and generative adversarial networks (GANs) to explore the emerging relationship of humans, microbes, and machines. These algorithms mimic and expand upon bacteria evolution and pattern formation beyond what is realizable in the physical world. Specifically, Transcrobial focuses on ‘bacteria swarming’ patterns, which are emergent behaviors that these microscopic organisms coordinate to form macroscale, fractal-like structures in an amazing feat of community intelligence.
GAN-based artworks have been created using existing Github tools (R. Barrat, S. Chintala). Ultimately, the work reveals how the transient biological existence of life through evolution can be artificially generated, and communicates fundamental perspectives of the human condition and interaction with living and non-living entities that speak to our collective futures.
Biographies:
Tal Danino (US) is an interdisciplinary artist and biologist exploring the emerging field of synthetic biology. He engineers some of the smallest forms of life, in the form of “programmable” bacteria and transforms living microorganisms like bacteria and cancer cells from the laboratory into bio artworks using various forms of media. His works have been exhibited at Zürcher Gallery, in New York, USA, ArtJaws.com in Paris, France, Hyundai Motorstudio Beijing, in Beijing, China, Liberty Science Center in New Jersey, USA, Da Vinci Creative Biennial at Seoul Foundation of Arts and Culture – Seoul Art Space Geumchen in Seoul, Korea, Vitenparken in As, Norway, Eyebeam in New York, USA, Boston Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, USA, Waterfall Mansion & Gallery in New York, USA, Galerie Xippas in Paris, France, The High Museum in Atlanta, USA, Tel Aviv Museum of Art in Tel Aviv, Israel, and many other places.
Originally from Los Angeles, Tal received B.S. degrees in Physics, Math, and Chemistry from UCLA and a Ph.D. in Bioengineering from UCSD, and did his postdoctoral research at MIT. He was selected as a TED Fellow and some of his recent work has been featured in The New York Times, Nature, and WIRED. He is currently an Assistant Professor at Columbia University and directs the interdisciplinary Synthetic Biological Systems Laboratory.
