The Society of
NanoBioSensing
In the context of perceptual experience, the nanoscale is a problematic space. Instead of encountering stimuli that the human senses have evolved to perceive, we instead find extreme dynamism, unfamiliar physical forces, and lightwaves that are too small for even our most sensitive optical systems to detect.


Scientific instrumentation has a huge interpretative and translational role in making nanoscale phenomena and nanomaterials intelligible for humans. These scientific instruments, unlike analogue instruments, often relegate the human body to a role of mouse-clicking rather than creating an embodied sensory engagement with the world. Without such physical or visual perceptual experiences available to us, the philosopher Alfred Nordmann suggests that nanotechnologies might ‘become more unfathomable when we are asked to imagine their unimaginably intricate workings that lie beyond the reach of our senses.’

The Society of NanoBioSensing is a two-storey high gesture and motion-responsive projection that enables the public to explore

scanning electron microscope images of engineered nanomaterials. The viewer can navigate three dimensions of the image using movement and gesture.

The presence of foreign nanotechnology within a human biological system is made profoundly explicit through this installation, while the gestural interactivity offers a rare, embodied experience of the nanomaterials. In drawing these nanomaterials into the public eye, and juxtaposing them with human cells, The Society of NanoBioSensing reminds us of the power of biotechnologies and unfolds questions about their biological, social, and ethical implications.

With this project and its exhibition, I am testing whether art can become a moral centre of science, and how welcome this might be. I am interested in working with audiences to consider what the governing ethical and social principles should be for the advancement of life through nanotechnology, and how the public can participate in decisions being made around the implementation and governance of nanobiosensing technologies.

CuTCNQ
CuTCNQ is a crystalline material that acts a sponge for toxic environmental and industrial chemicals.
ZIF-8
Prostate tumour cells with ZIF-8, a nano-engineered material that acts as a gene-delivery system and cancer therapy for specifically targeted cells.

Supported by the Australian Network for Art and Technology (ANAT), Ian Potter NanoBioSensing Facility, RMIT University,
with the support of the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund.
Additional support from City of Melbourne COVID-19 Arts Grants, and Taller 30 (Studio 30), Mexico.
Facilities and technical support from Dr Matthew Field and the RMIT Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility (RMMF), a node of Microscopy Australia.