valid_invalid (2015)

Through their DNA individuals can be identified, including their gender, ethnicity, and the color of their hair and eyes. What may be possible in the future in this field is especially the subject of artistic visions. In the science fiction film Gattaca (1997), for example, taking and analyzing a DNA sample replaces passport control – a procedure that takes only a matter of seconds in the film, but which even today is still relatively time-consum- ing. In her works, Heather Dewey-Hagborg toys with the idea of recreating a person’s face from their DNA sample, despite the fact that what can be predicted from the information stored in DNA is very limited. Clearly, the possibilities of genetics are often overestimated. The installation valid_invalid plays with this, and encourages viewers to question the potential of DNA-based technologies. 

Video Documentary:

ZKM | Institute for Visual Media

Camera: Martina Rotzal, Christina Zartmann
Editing: Johannes Maag
Voice: Rabea Rahmig