Display of textile artworks opens in Northern Ireland
29 July 2011
Supported by a Wellcome Trust Arts Award, the Communicating Bacteria Project combines bioart, historical textile techniques and 3D mapped video projections to explore new research in the field of bacterial communication. Works from the project will go on display for the first time as part of 'Normal Flora', the latest exhibition from international artist Anna Dumitriu, hosted by R-Space at the Linen Rooms.
Bacteria have intricate communication capabilities, and scientists are learning more about how these so-called 'simplest' life forms can work collectively, obtain information about their environment and other cells, and use that information in a 'meaningful' way.
They can, for example, send out signals to notify other bacteria of their presence to monitor the overall size of the colony; they can detect harmful or favourable substances in the environment; and they can even exchange beneficial genes such as antibiotic resistance genes by swapping small pieces of genetic material known as plasmids.
'Communicating Bacteria' is a body of new work produced in collaboration with microbiologists Dr Simon Park and Dr John Paul and video artist Alex May. Artist Anna Dumitriu has produced textile designs stained with dyes from bacteria that change colour when they communicate with each other. The exhibition also includes a series of hacked antique whitework embroidered pieces, created using genetically modified bacteria.
'Normal Flora' is at R-Space at the Linen Rooms in Lisburn, Northern Ireland, until 17 September. All the works on display have been made sterile before being exhibited.
Anna Dumitriu: Normal Flora
R-Space at the Linen Rooms, Lisburn, Northern Ireland
30 July 2011-17 September 2011
Wednesdays-Saturdays, 11.00-17.00
Image credit: Anna Dumitriu.
