Developed alongside synthetic biologist Sharef Mansy, McRae invites viewers on a speculative journey through the production and eventual consumption of an edible perfume, which once swallowed will emit a genetically unique fragrance through perspiration on the skin's surface. Part of her project included the performance 'Live Swallowable Parfum Lab', which adopted the gallery setting and turned it into a laboratory - providing an immersive experience to over 300 visitors.
The purpose was to prototype the scientific "what if's" of human enhancement through edible cosmetic technologies, in this case perfume and its emotional impact. But what is stopping us from speculating on further, more outlandish possibilities that this type of project can help to unfold? After all, scientific breakthroughs are constantly changing the way we imagine and transform the human body. It is not only fascinating to explore the impact of genetically enhanced beauty, but also vital. We need to find some way to challenge, explain and reimagine such hugely culturally important biology projects and art can do this by taking a critical distance.
