Monsters, Models and Model Organisms – A Perspective from Art & Science

Abstract

This paper investigates the interplay between models, monsters, and standardization through an interdisciplinary lens of art, science, and technology. The author envisions a future where our planet increasingly accommodates life forms that are not products of natural evolution, but rather creations of human design using biological and/or technological materials. Currently this is visible in constructed models and how we define and understand models in both the arts and sciences. Beginning with a historical examination of the monster-concept, the paper points out its transformation from an object of wonder to a symbol of clinical abnormality. This is used as an example of how our understanding of these notions, and their relevance to our reality, has shifted over time. It further delves into the idea of model organisms, which embody a fusion of natural and artificial elements, challenging traditional distinctions and boundaries. The concept of the model organism is explored as a hybrid of the natural and artificial, challenging traditional boundaries. The paper references artworks that construct speculative models and reimagine societal norms. They are presented as examples of concrete models, inviting audience reflections on the cultural implications of designing life.