Behind the image: “Hatchery”

Project Summary

The images in ‘31 explore social and political parallels between the present and the late 1920s, early 1930s.

The project’s limited-edition archival pigment prints measure 31 x 42 cm (12.2 x 16.5 inches).

Caption to “Hatchery”

"Hatchery" encapsulates the ethical dilemmas of genetic engineering and today's quest to produce "designer babies." The arrangement echoes Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, where society manufactures an ideal populace through genetic manipulation, highlighting the thin line between scientific advancement and ethical transgression. This pursuit of perfection, similar to the eugenics movements of the 1920s and 1930s, raises profound questions about the essence of humanity, equality, and the dangers inherent in attempting to optimize and enhance human traits.

As we get closer to turning such futuristic concepts into reality, the image urges us to reflect on our past, the cautionary tales of literature, and the moral boundaries we must navigate in our continuous quest for improvement. In the middle of this complex interplay of science, ethics, and society, the question emerges: How far are we willing to go in our pursuit of perfection, and at what cost to our humanity?

The inspiration

The image was inspired by Albert Renger-Patzsch’s and Paul Outerbridge’s still life and advertisement photography in the early 1930s.