Tiger Penis Project

Project website: http://www.tigerpenisproject.com

Many cultures have their own systems of alternative medicine, whose effectiveness cannot always be proven according to contemporary scientific analysis. They are usually regarded as mere cultural myths, such as the use of the tiger penis to increase virility in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). At the same time, the huge demand for wild animals in TCM poses a threat to endangered species. Nevertheless, TCM may offer other benefits beyond mainstream western medicine. Is there a way to resolve the conflict between health, culture, and environmental conservation through a new interpretation of traditional Chinese medicine?

Bringing non-western perspectives to speculative design scenarios, this project proposes the use of emerging biotechnologies to create artificial animal parts for Chinese medicine. Combining western and Chinese medicine and technologies, this new hybrid medicine prevents the further destruction of both animals and traditional cultures, and provides more possibilities for the coexistence of human society and the natural environment.

Credits:

Consultancy of Tissue Culture: Bronte W. Sun, Liting chen
Consultancy of Genetic Modification: Tsun-Hui Tsao, Zito Tseng
Consultancy of Traditional Chinese Medicine: An-Bin Cheng, Chun-Yu Lin, Po-Hsun Chen, Yu-Yen Lin
Video Filming and Prop Design: Jian Da Huang
Costume Design: Chia-Wei Tien, Yun Ting Chou
3D Bioprinter Making: Lucas Zito Louisor
Graphic Design and Book Editing: Yu-Tzu Huang
Container Design and Website Design: Tzu-Yen Chen Model:Rob Johnson

Collaborative Organizations: Baltan Laboratories, Eindhoven and Mediamatic, Amsterdam

Supported by Dimension Plus, National Culture and Arts Foundation, Taiwan and Ministry of Culture, Taiwan

video of the Tiger Penis Project

Workshop derived from Tiger Penis Project: A Future Clinic of Chinese Medicine
Collaboration with Baltan Laboratories

Thesis Book: Hybridizing Medicines - Tiger Penis Project

Visual Research Book