Usman Haque of DreamTech presented Clones-R-Us which is a web site based on the idea of made-to-order clones. The web site addresses not only the question of why people would want clones, but also includes an ordering process in which you can design a clone to purchase. This site commercializes a hotly debated, current issue and presents it in the world of utopian advertising, complete with a collection of client testimonies. Usman Haque answered questions for DreamTech.
Q: Please describe your project. What are the key issues and concepts of your project?
UH: DreamTech International's Clones-R-Us; a web site for a manufacturer of human clones. The key issues are the mechanics and ethics of human cloning.
Q: How do you position your work within the context of Life Science?
UH: As an investigation into the reactions people have to new technologies.
Q: What is your impression of Ars Electronica so far? Have you seen anything that you are particularly interested in?
UH: Strange split between the artists and the scientists.
Q: Is this project representative of your body of work or is it different in some way?
UH: Not representative.
Q: What are the differences between this project and your previous projects?
UH: Have not been involved in bio-technology issues before.
Q: What are the structures and support systems that allow you to do your work?
UH: None!
Q: As an artist working in a technological or scientific crossover, are you developing alliances and working relationships with commercial or corporate research and development venues?
UH: I do not consider myself an artist.
Q: How do you envision art in the future regarding new technologies, new science and a new millennium? How do you envision your work in this context?
UH: Art has always been closely linked to technology and will continue to be so.
Switch V5N3 - Interviews from Ars Electronica '99 by Paula Poole