Kunstbi

Kunstbi is a term used to describe an interdisciplinary practice at the intersection of art and biology. A portmanteau of the German words Kunst (art) and Bi (biology or biotechnology), kunstbi encompasses artistic work that engages living systems, biotechnologies, and biological data to explore questions about life, technology, and society. In German-speaking contexts the term signals projects that combine artistic inquiry with laboratory or field-based biology, though there is no single, universally accepted definition.

Practice and media: Kunstbi artworks may be realized in makerspaces, university labs, or artist-run biotech studios under appropriate oversight. Media commonly include living cultures such as yeast or bacteria, tissue materials, wet-lab processes, 3D-printed structures, and data-driven installations. Projects often emphasize making visible the processes of biology, provoking reflection on the relationships between humans, machines, and living systems.

History and context: Kunstbi builds on the broader bioart and art–science movements that emerged in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. It is related to international initiatives that promote dialogue about biotechnology in culture. In European discourse, kunstbi is used to describe collaborations between artists, scientists, and educators aimed at expanding access to, and understanding of, biological knowledge.

Ethics and reception: Artistic work in this area raises questions about biosafety, consent, and environmental impact. Galleries, museums, and funding bodies increasingly demand risk analyses and compliance with biosafety standards. Proponents argue that kunstbi can democratize science, while critics caution against commodifying or sensationalizing living systems.

See also

- Bioart

- DIY biology

- Biotechnology in art

- Art and science

- SymbioticA