Exhibition explores consent in donation and use of human tissue

The use of human materials for research, donation and art will be the focus of the second exhibition at LifeSpace, the new research-driven science art gallery at the University of Dundee’s Discovery Centre. `Material Concerns’ brings together work by Gina Czarnecki, David Connearn, Carolee Schneemann, Verena Friedrich and Alec Finlay with current research and historical artefacts from the University of Dundee to promote better understanding of the various processes of consent and the ethics employed in the donation and use of human tissue. Within a research setting, work that involves human tissue is subject to strict regulatory requirements, as is the possession of human material for medical and scientific education or training. But what ethical framework exists for the use of human tissue from living consenting donors in art? “This exhibition is particularly important as it deals with issues of informed consent and donation of human tissue in life, science and art in a space specifically designed to provide the public with greater insight into the broad spectrum of life sciences research and artistic practice through cross-disciplinary collaboration,” said Dr Sarah Cook, Curator of LifeSpace. “Our aim is to prompt members of the public to consider if living people should be able to donate their own human tissue to art and what ethical approval mechanisms exist to address such an issue. “We are delighted to be able to show the work of these internationally acclaimed artists.” Alec Finlay's work 'organ-stones' is related to his work creating the National Memorial for Organ and Tissue Donors in Scotland in the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. Gina Czarnecki's work PALACES is a magical sculpture containing milk-teeth which have been donated by the public. People who would like one of their milk-teeth to be part of the PALACE can collect a form from the gallery.  `Material Concerns’ runs from Friday February 6th until May 30th and will coincide with the Dundee Women in Science Festival (March 7th - March 28th). Further details of the LifeSpace Festival timetable can be found in the Dundee WiSF Programme which will be available city-wide later this month. LifeSpace is a collaborative partnership between researchers from Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design and researchers from the College of Life Sciences. The gallery is housed within the new £26million Discovery Centre, the latest addition to Dundee’s UK-leading Life Sciences complex. NOTES TO EDITORS About LifeSpace The mission of LifeSpace is to engage artists and scientists in exciting new collaborations and enable opportunities for interdisciplinary art and science interactions as well as providing a location for curatorial exchange between staff, students, researchers and the general public. About the Exhibition Including work by Gina Czarnecki, David Connearn, Carolee Schneemann, Verena Friedrich and Alec Finlay alongside current research and historical artefacts from the University of Dundee. February 6th – 30th May 2015 Preview: Thursday 5 February 2015, 6-8pm Exhibition tour with the curator and artists at 5pm (RSVP) The gallery is located at the side entrance to the College of Life Sciences at the very top of Old Hawkhill Road University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 5EH Opening times: Saturday 11am-5pm Monday to Friday by appointment only lifespace@dundee.ac.uk lifespace.dundee.ac.uk @LifeSpaceDundee   Image: Gina Czarnecki, Detail of Palaces (2010 –). Courtesy of the artist.   Roddy Isles Head of Press TEL: 01382 384910 MOBILE: 07800 581902 E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk

» more