Microbial art — the process of creating living paintings with bacteria — has been around for nearly 100 years. It was first created by Alexander Fleming, who discovered penicillin in 1928 and was also an amateur artist. Atlas Obscura looks at this blend of art and science, some of the skilled folks who make it, and the potential health risks if it's not done carefully.
New art thread for 2024 starts here! This is a mostly daily thread with a different artist featured in each post, primarily modern and contemporary stuff since that's my thing.
Paintings by Botswanan artist Thebe Phetogo, 2020, whose "Blackbody Composites" series is inspired by the concept in physics of “a hypothetical perfect physical body that absorbs light and electromagnetic energy, with no reflecting power” and whose bright green palette references green screens.
Textile works by American artist Lia Cook, 2010s, whose woven portraits incorporate data visualizations as part of a neuroscience research project studying how viewers react emotionally and psychologically to looking at her work.
Installations by NY-based Canadian artist Lotus L Kang, 2020s, incorporating unfixed photographic film that develops over time when exposed to light and humidity in the gallery.