CarianaCarianne interview
A lot of artists study the idea of duality, but none so close to their own lives as CarianaCarianne.
CarianaCarianne are artists whose canvases are not the usual ones — nor are they necessarily tangible. These artists are in collaboration as an artist, the idea being that two people share one body and create work examining that reality.
That’s why in talking about CarianaCarianne, it can be considered more appropriate to use “they” instead of “she,” two artists instead of one artist. That is, it’s most appropriate if you buy into her conceit. And why wouldn’t you? What’s the point in not?
The artists make their statement through what might best be described as performance art, which has included creating a legal last will and testament for CarianaCarianne and becoming a notary public together. Their installation work utilizes documents, charts, and other media to document their dual entity status — it can often appear to be a wing of a research facility as much as an art installation.
CarianaCarianne’s work is currently on view at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, with an upcoming show at the Chicago gallery of University of Illinois of Urbana-Champaign.
JM: You utilize a lot of apparent scientific technique in your presentation. I’m curious wherein your interest and/or experience lies in the area of science.
CC: One could say that the installation of drawings and prototypes does look scientific. We are interested in the act of invention and creation. One interesting aspect we love about this work relating to science is that in the philosophy of science one does not really ever “prove” an idea or hypothesis, but instead one simply “fails to reject it.” On a personal note, for 11 years — from 1991-2002 — we worked as a patent draftsperson for independent attorneys, corporations, and law firms. Legally registering a patent is considered a form of public service. Once an invention is patented, the patent holder receives exclusive rights to make, sell, and authorize others to make or sell the patented product for 20 years. After 20 years, the intellectual property returns to the public domain as ‘common property’ for further creative pursuits. When this process involves the creation of life — as in our case — the legal system thus cannot reject the new life and must position that life as a public record.
JM: Could you talk a little more about double DNA?
CC: Double DNA is a natural occurrence. People born with two sets of DNA are considered to be human chimeras. Basically, there are more twins conceived than are actually born. Early on in many of these pregnancies, one twin will die and the other twin will absorb the DNA of the deceased twin. When the child is born, no abnormalities are present. However, the two sets of DNA live and coexist in the body. Many times the child will have what is called ‘mosaic’ skin where the two DNA have developed two skin types and a marbling of the two occurs. It is fascinating! It brings up questions about identity, definitions concerning the soul, and even race.
