The author describes two recent sculptural projects with bacteria that produce electricity while decomposing organic matter, in a technology known as a microbial fuel cell. These works encourage a ludic relationship to microbes, allowing us to acknowledge their aptitude for building ordered societies that sustain many life systems in the environment and within us. Relationships between humans, technology and microbes emerge in these theatrical scenarios.

Issue Section:
Artist’s Note
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©2015 ISAST
2015

Supplementary data

Microbial Schöppingen

Installation with two-chamber MFCs at Künstlerdorf Schöppingen, NRW, Germany, 2012. (© Mick Lorusso. Photo: Frida Cano)

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Microbial Schöppingen

Video documentation of installation with two-chamber MFCs at Künstlerdorf Schöppingen, NRW, Germany, 2012. (© Mick Lorusso)

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Biodiamond Energy Theater Feature

One of the live-edited videos created with a young participant using live USB microscope footage of Microbial Fuel Cell bacteria at Perot Museum of Nature and Science, Dallas, 2013. (© Mick Lorusso)

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