Genpet

Genpets are a mixed media installation art piece by artist Adam Brandejs.[1] It is considered a hoax of exposure. The project has been shown in multiple galleries in Canada and Europe and has garnered some attention in the mass media.

The creations were sculpted, automated creatures made of latex and plastic, and housed robotic circuitry to simulate slow respiration. They looked like small, baldskinned and ugly humanoids, and were intended to be displayed as living, but dormant, bioengineered creatures for purchase as pets. The fabricated packaging indicated a purchaser had a choice of colors, four different personalities and levels of activity, and that the creatures had a limited vocal capacity. The sculptures and packaging, along with the professional-appearing hoax website, are so realistic that observers are often fooled.[2][3]

In 2006, Genpets were featured on the weblog for The Museum of Hoaxes in San Diego, California.[4] as well as broadcast on BBC News Worldwide on a BBC programme called Click[5] as well as the Times (UK), the New York Times and G4TechTV.[6]

All the work was hand done by the artist Adam Brandejs, with assistance from makeup artist Crystal Pallister for the coloring of the creatures. The pictures show the actual 19 genpet units that display at art galleries. Genpets have been displayed at multiple Fine Art galleries and museum displays in both North America and Europe.[7]

References
  1. Genpets at Snopes.com, June 27, 2006.
  2. Mitchell, Dan, "Artistic Pet License", The New York Times, June 24, 2005.
  3. O'Brien, Jennifer, "Genpets create uproar: A former Londoner's creature sculptures spark a furor over bioengineering" (Link req. subscription), The London Free Press, July 4, 2006.
  4. Genpets at The Museum of Hoaxes website Archived 2014-04-27 at the Wayback Machine
  5. click online
  6. artist cv with article scans
  7. Adam Brandejs - Brandejs.ca - cv
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