ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the work of Critical Art Ensemble (CAE), engage directly and critically with the processes of science, exposing the performativity of science through tactics that include the presentation of scientific techniques. Discussions around improving scientific literacy have been driven primarily by economic arguments, combined with notions of enriching cultural health and intellectual life, and of enhancing democracy. In parallel with the notion of the performativity of science itself as a series of actions that affect the world, an idea that underpins CAE's critique of modern bioscience is the use of performing science as a device in CAE's art practice. The presentation of CAE's work GenTerra raised a number of the complex ethical and safety issues that abound in the area of performative science as art. The combination of regulations, ethics, safety, legality, and public and authority perceptions of safety can make this area of work very difficult for artists.
