Exploring the invisible

3 December 2009

There’s more to bioluminescent bacteria than their use in scientific research. With Arts Award funding, artist Anne Brodie, microbiologist Dr Simon Park and curator Dr Caterina Albano are exploring the wider relationship between humans and microorganisms.

By inverting the standard practice of using bacterial bioluminescence as an internal marker, and making it an external source of light, they expose objects and bodies, surfaces and skin to the soft ethereal glow of bacterial light, establishing new points of contacts and visual punctures.

Part of their project has been the use of bacterial light to illuminate the personal letters and journals of Joseph Lister, held in the Wellcome Library, producing a series of ghostly photographs more reminiscent of X-rays.

The project will involve a unique live installation and photographic projections at the Old Operating Theatre, St Thomas's Street, London on 3 December, and projections from 4-7 December. The team will be giving a talk at the Old Operating Theatre on 8 December.

Image: Bioluminescent image from the project. Credit: Anne Brodie and Simon Park