On February 13, the Life Sciences Complex will host an evening at the intersection of biology, art, and speculative futures. Aphrodite’s Conception: Reproduction Myths and Contemporary Biotechnology brings together faculty, students, and the broader university community for a live lecture-performance and Bio-Art Mixer event centered on the evolving narratives of reproduction and care.
The event features artist Boryana Rossa, Professor of Film and Media Arts and Artist-in-Residence in the Hehnly laboratory, whose interdisciplinary work explores how emerging reproductive technologies reshape social structures and cultural imagination. Developed through sustained dialogue with developmental and cell biology research, this performance examines parallels between ancient myths of conception and contemporary biotechnological advances such as in vitro fertilization, artificial wombs, cloning, and stem cell–based organismal development.
Through live visual and textual performance, Rossa draws connections between mythological accounts of self-conception, nontraditional parenthood, and technologically mediated reproduction. These narratives serve as a framework for examining how scientific innovation influences societal understandings of caregiving, embodiment, and kinship. By juxtaposing myth and biotechnology, the work highlights recurring archetypes of conception and gestation that span cultural histories and emerging scientific possibilities.
The evening will also feature a live mural drawing by Rossa, offering attendees the opportunity to observe the creative process as it unfolds and to engage directly with the conceptual development of her forthcoming work. Following the performance, a guided discussion will invite reflection on the scientific, cultural, and ethical dimensions raised by the project. Beverages and light refreshments will be provided.
This event is supported by the Department of Film and Media Arts, the Department of Biology, and the BioInspired Institute, and is part of the ongoing Bio-Art Mixer series initiated to foster dialogue between scientific and artistic communities at Syracuse University. By creating shared spaces for exchange, the series aims to expand how research is communicated, interpreted, and experienced across disciplines.
Aphrodite’s Conception is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
