The union between art and science can generate small masterpieces truly worthy of interest. For the intrinsic message they carry and more often for their perfect combination of simplicity and genius. The inspiration for the new edition of BacteriArt, the third promoted by Yakult Italy to promote healthy lifestyles and contribute to people's well-being, in collaboration with NABA, New Academy of Fine Artscame once again from the world of microbiology, this time inviting young students of contemporary arts from the Academy of Milan to translate the concept into works «from invisible to visible”that is: what is invisible yet omnipresent – like the world of bacteria that make up our microbiota – is brought to light and shown through the universal language of the work of art.
To try their hand, all the young artists perfected their knowledge on the topic, but most of them chose to work on this scientific concept for its originality and ability to stimulate the imagination like few others.
What is the microbiota and what role does it play in health
We can define it as a universe of mycoorganisms that lives inside us and which contributes to making us feel good. The bacteria of the microbiota live and evolve together with our body, occupying the intestine in particular. We talk about eubiosis when the different types of bacteria that make up the microbiota are in a state of equilibrium and we talk, on the contrary, about dysbiosis when there is an imbalance, a condition that can cause discomfort and, in the most serious cases, real pathologies such as obesity, rheumatoid arthritis and atopic eczema. The care of the microbiota and the invisible bacteria that compose it is therefore essential to preserve the health and well-being of the person over time.
Specifically, with BacteriArt3we also wanted to explore the connection between the set of microorganisms that surrounds and accompanies us and our interpersonal relationships.
“The complexity of the gut microbiome and its interactions with personal relationships are astonishing,” he explains Patrizia Brigidi, Full Professor of Fermentation Biotechnology at the University of Bologna. «This vast microbial ecosystem, composed of a variety of organisms, plays a crucial role in human health, influencing not only our physiology, but also social and relational dynamics. The intestinal microbiome emerges as a protagonist, not only in the performing arts proposed by the students, but also in the connections between individuals, reflecting the coexistence and shared habits that characterize human relationships. The sensitivity of the project participants BacteriArt it allows, edition after edition, to dismantle the belief that bacteria are only negative and to convey the message that among these microorganisms there exists a positive microworld essential for our health”.
The BacteriArt3 project
The project promoted by Yakult Italia and curated by Andris Brinkmanis, Course Leader of the three-year course in Painting and Visual Arts at the NABA campus in Milan, e Letizia Mari, BacteriArt3 project leader, came to life thanks to the creativity of the students of the three-year course in Painting and Visual Arts and the two-year specialist course in Visual Arts and Curatorial Studies of the Academy, which they translated into works of art – between sculpture, digital technologies and performing arts – the role of the microbiota for our health.
«With this successful project, created thanks to the collaboration with NABA, we have chosen the language of Art to make visible the invisible world of the bacteria that make up our microbiota and that support our health», he commented Arianna Rolandi, Director of Science and Corporate Communication at Yakult Italia. «And what is more 'healing' than Art for our psycho-physical well-being? Thanks to BacteriArt NABA's student-artists were able to capture and transform complex scientific concepts into exciting works of art, with the same commitment required of researchers and scientists.”
Three prizes for three evocative works: here's who won them
The result of the work carried out during the 2023/24 Academic Year, the competing works were evaluated by a jury of sector experts, internationally renowned artists and journalists, led by Michelangelo Pistoletto and specifically composed of Agnieszka Kurant, Nomeda And Gediminas Urbonas, Tomas Saraceno, Patrizia BrigidiFull Professor of Fermentation Biotechnology at the University of Bologna, Valeria Sagheddumicrobiologist and researcher, Giulia Ronchi, editorial director of exibart, Alice PolitiWellness Editor of Vanity Fair Italy And Arianna RolandiDirector of Science and Corporate Communication of Yakult Italia, in addition to the representatives of the Academy Marco ScotiniNABA Visual Arts Department Head, e Andris BrinkmanisCourse Leader of the three-year course in Painting and Visual Arts.
The winners were rewarded by Yakult Italia with a financial award, with which the company intends to support their artistic and professional path.
To win the BacteriArt prize 2024with the installation Pseudocoralis which met with the unanimous approval of the jury was the collective Silvestro's Studiocomposed by Davide Barbieri, Elisa Ceneri and Davide Militano.
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The core of the work lies in the intertwining of the concept of communication and the investigation of empty space. The reflection focuses on the theme “from the invisible to the visible”, embracing the idea of conceiving sound as an invisible entity, but capable of creating shapes in space. The resulting structures connect the microscopic world of bacteria, the environment and humans.
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Alessandra Redondi was awarded the Shirota Prize for the scientific study in the design of her video installation Log phase.
In Log phase micro and macro are confused: the realities of the city, “human colonies” framed from above, take the form of bacterial colonies that are difficult to see with the naked eye. The infinitely large and the infinitely small meet at the same time, revealing similar dynamics, which bind them despite their different perspectives.
For the innovative interpretation of the proposed theme, the «Nuove Visioni Award» was awarded to the work with the title Spots created by Margherita Marzani.
In Spot we intend to play with the unpredictability of bacteria in order to create patterns that can be modified through movements and superpositions. The project uses video projection and animation to involve the viewer who is asked to interact with shapes and colors.
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In all, there were 8 works in competition, exhibited to the public in a project spread throughout the spaces of the NABA campus in Milan in via C. Darwin 20. In addition to the winning projects, the works created by the students were presented Maria Camila Duque Acosta, Cristina Malerba, Kenny Alexander Laurence, Stefania Meleaca, Chiara Porzio And Giulia Allegrone.
Source: Vanity Fair
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