Microbial Heart (2024)

My work depicts a human heart sculpted and then covered in layers of microbial cellulose. It is then painted and glazed to better resemble the organ. This piece speaks to the similarity between microbial communities and human body systems.

The material used to provide texture is microbial cellulose, synthesized by bacteria during a fermentation process. Our class produced this bio leather in larger batches such that it could be used in multiple projects. Once harvested and dried, the leather becomes a sustainable alternative to mass-produced fabrics. It is flexible and can be cut and molded into various forms. I was particularly inspired by the organic, vein-like structures that were formed during fermentation in the hot room.

Microbial cellulose is a kind of biofilm, a community of microorganisms that form a slimy matrix. The community-oriented nature of biofilms parallels a human body system (such as the organ system), which works in tandem to support life. Although biofilm takes a drastically different form – a sheet-like matrix as opposed to a multi-system structure – I would argue that both systems have a similarly cohesive structure.

Additionally, biofilms serve as protection against the outside world. Thus, on a secondary level, this piece speaks to an instinct for self-preservation. The visual of a human organ removed from the body is disconcerting, as enabled by the organic texture of the microbial cellulose. The microbial cellulose traditionally acts as a shield, yet in this case, enables vulnerability and discomfort on behalf of the viewer.

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