Research  2010  Biotechnology  City  project  Selected Work   

The city is a vast and incredibly complex metabolism in which the human species is the tiniest of fractions; tiny and yet intrinsically linked into an organic embroidery beyond our understanding. It is within this complex fabric that (future) biotechnologies will end up. Pigeon d'Or proposes the use of feral pigeons as a platform and interface for synthetic biology in an urban environment by attempting to make a pigeon defecate soap.

By modifying the metabolism of pigeons, synthetic biology allows us to add new functionality to what is commonly seen as “flying rats.” A special bacteria is designed and created that, when fed to pigeons, turns faeces into detergent and is as harmless to pigeons as yoghurt is to humans.

Through the pursuit of manipulating pigeon excrement and designing appropriate architectural interfaces, the project explores the ethical, political, practical and aesthetic consequences of designing biology.

Two objects are being presented in the project. The first one is a contraption that allows these pigeons to become part of your house, part of the architecture. This pigeon house is attached to your windowsill and allows you to feed the pigeons, separate and select them and direct them through different exits. It facilitates bespoke urban disinfection.

The second artefact is an interface for a parked automobile, allowing the produced soap to land on the windscreen. For this object, bespoke bacteria have been created in the lab, to metabolise a biological window soap in the pigeon's gut. These bacteria produce lipase and lower ph to attack the grease and dirt on the windscreen.

Pigeons and feral pigeons present themselves as the ideal platform and interface for urban biotechnologies. While seen by many as venom, one could argue they're actually a product of biotechnology as their ancestors were designed to look pretty, deliver post, spy, tumble or race. The project draws on the rich culture around pigeon racing: from the refined pigeon-psychology to the social and economical practices.

In collaboration with James Chappell. Thanks to Pieter Baert, Jan Boelen, Rob Culverhouse, Simon Delobel, Cate Edgar, Toby Hadden, Keith Plastow, Albert Stratton, Kasper Van Rompay & Joep Verburg.

This project is generously funded by the Flemish Authorities.


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