DESMA 9 Event 3: "Waste Matters: You Are My Future" by Kathy High

This was the third event I attended, and I'm happy I went to the Discovery Cube and LACMA before it. The Discovery Cube was simple excitement, LACMA was more mature in its integration of art and science, and Kathy High's exhibit was all this plus a profound message. Going into this exhibition, I didn't really know anything about Kathy High except what we covered in class, and I had no idea what Chrome's disease was. Walking in and immediately seeing a representation of a method to preserve feces, I was a little hesitant about how much I would enjoy the exhibition.

Fecal matter preserved in honey

But, after spending some time learning about  Crohn's disease, fecal transplants, the art in the room, and Kathy's mission, I thought it was a really cool and well presented exhibit.

 Photo with one of her photos. Clearer one below

There were  seemingly contradictory pieces, beautiful art and feces, the vibrancy and life of Kathy's pictures and the seriousness and sorrow of having an affliction such as Crohn's disease. But everything tied together so well. Kathy's bravery in asking David Bowie for his feces for a fecal transplant is the same bravery that allows her to model in recreations of his album covers. The positivity represented in those photographs related to the information present about Crohn's disease- about moving forward and making positive discoveries and developments, not lamenting her situation or having a pity party.

 Image as part of a series to help raise awareness for Crohn's disease

We learned about a lot of art that creates discussion or explores controversial subjects (Alba and Orlan's work are examples) and it was really cool to see such an exhibit. I also thought it was a great way to promote awareness about Crohn's disease. The exhibition is closed, but I would strongly encourage people to check out some photos of her art and read a bit about her experience with Crohn's. 

Sources:

High, Kathy. "Waste Matters: You Are My Future | UCLA Art | Sci Center Lab." UCLA Art Sci. UCLA Art Sci. Web. 7 June 2015.