iDNAtity: Australian Interactive Art and Science Exhibition Demonstrates Creative Power of DNA

The Australian Embassy is proud to present, iDNAtity - a cutting edge workshop fusing art and science - at the Strike a Chord: The Science of Music exhibition at PP-IPTEK Jakarta from 26 to 28 March 2010.

Mr Gary Cass, a scientific expert from the University of Western Australia, will conduct, for the first time in Indonesia, a series of boldly interdisciplinary workshops for high school students, artists and the public on the use of 21st century biotechnology in art and music.

“iDNAtity, like Strike A Chord - The Science of Music, is an exciting hands-on exhibition and a fun and unique way for us to learn more about the artistic side of our DNA,” said Australian Ambassador to Indonesia, Bill Farmer.

iDNAtity is a computerised system for generating music using an individual’s unique DNA sequence and uses facial recognition and simple questions about physical characteristics such as eye colour to map aspects of the users’ genetic make-up. iDNAtity is a fascinating educational tool which provokes exploration into the genetics which determine our physical characteristics, the boundaries between art and science, and the rapidly changing role of biotechnology in art, science and society.

The iDNAtity computer system will be provided as a temporary stand-alone interactive exhibit to supplement Strike A Chord, currently showing at PP-IPTEK, Taman Mini Indonesia until 31 March.

Based in Perth, Gary Cass has been a scientific collaborator with numerous art and science projects contributing to a range of skills in agricultural and biological sciences to ongoing research projects.

Media Enquiries:
Jenny Dee, Counsellor (Public Affairs) tel. (021) 2550 5290 mob. 0811 187 3175