Two students from The University of New Mexico recently participated in the BioDesign Challenge in New York City with a project examining the history and future of tattooing. UNM teams have previously competed in the challenge with various projects, including smart acequias monitoring and eco-friendly, recyclable organic fabrics.
The Biodesign Challenge is an international education program for college students that explores the intersection of biotechnology, art, and design. It connects participants to a global network of leaders in academia, industry, and entrepreneurship who are defining the field of biodesign. The program aims to pioneer, envision, create, and critique transformational applications in biotech.
This year’s UNM team consisted of Jeanie Seaver and Aili Wiggins, who studied under Professor Andrea Polli from the Art Department and Associate Professor of Computer Science along with adjunct faculty member Amy Pilling.
“Each year in the spring semester, UNM students across disciplines enrolled in the Bio Art and Design course develop a project for the international Biodesign Challenge (BDC),” Polli explained. “At the end of the semester, a jury of faculty and other experts review all the student projects and choose one to compete in the BDC held in New York City.”
“Our UNM student team presents their work alongside about 50 other teams from all over the world,” Polli noted. “They also get to hear presentations from BDC alumni who have created companies with their projects and from professionals in the field of biodesign. It's a great learning experience when students meet their colleagues from other universities.”
The UNM team’s project is called Lo-TEK-tat. It “traces 5,000 years of tattoo history to inform a DIY and bio-active approach to tattooing that explores the potential for alteration of biochemical identity.” The project addresses toxic substances in tattoo ink while imagining a future where plant-derived estrogen generates deeper physiological meaning.
Seaver graduated this spring with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Architecture. Wiggins also graduated with a degree in Architecture and a Certificate in Interdisciplinary Design.
“Lo-TEK-tat is a borrowed term and is an acronym for ‘local Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge,’” Seaver said. “In short, our project was all about re-imagining the practice of tattooing in western countries − where tattoos exist in a shallow cultural context because they were largely appropriated from Indigenous cultures.”
Seaver explained that they first studied Indigenous tattoo traditions and emerging scientific studies linking tattoos with cancer.
“We addressed toxic ingredients by making ink at home,” Seaver said. “Our research showed us that all tattoo ink is bio-active; it’s clear Indigenous cultures understood this too. We imagined using phytoestrogen extracted from soybean plants as an additive to intentionally change biochemistry or shift gender identity.”
Initially Seaver's solo project became collaborative when Wiggins joined after her own project was selected as runner-up for BDC participation. The BioDesign projects are mentored by Pilling.
“Amy Pilling did a great job exposing us to different forms of bio-art,” Seaver said.
“The BioDesign Challenge was the most fun I’ve ever had academically,” Seaver added. “We met many brilliant young designers; it was perfect for closing out my time at UNM.”
Among lessons learned preparing for BDC participation was understanding "the power of strong verbal presentation," according to Seaver.
Seaver is now seeking employment within architecture but maintains interests spanning art and design.
“I’m excited to poke more people,” she continued regarding her interest in continuing tattoo work.
Regarding inquiries about self-tattooing with Lo-TEK-tat ink: “Definitely not!” she stated due to rushed deadlines compromising sterility concerns but expressed interest developing safer practices aligning Indigenous wisdom with scientific knowledge.
