Novogen (2017–2018) is a project focusing on the eponymous breed of chickens, genetically engineered to lay eggs for the production of vaccines and other pharmaceutical products.
Considering Novogen White chickens and their role in the pharmaceutical industry, the work poses vital questions and dilemmas about humankind’s relationship to nature and technology and calls us to consider the price paid to maintain our health and longevity. At the same time, by taking the chicken as a metaphor, it reflects on the late-capitalist concepts of workforce and our commodified existence.
Considering Novogen White chickens and their role in the pharmaceutical industry, the work poses vital questions and dilemmas about humankind’s relationship to nature and technology and calls us to consider the price paid to maintain our health and longevity. At the same time, by taking the chicken as a metaphor, it reflects on the late-capitalist concepts of workforce and our commodified existence.
The core of the project is formed by 168 individual portraits of Novogen White hens, complemented by a series of photographs following the egg’s way through the process of vaccine production. It also includes extracts from the management guide of Novogen White hens and the marketing materials of the company which produces them.
Novogen was created in the scope of my studies at the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design.
Novogen was created in the scope of my studies at the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design.
