Thursday, November 19th, 2 pm – 4 pm
Presented by TAG as part of the HTMlles Festival
This workshop explores human cutaneous microbiota, microorganisms that populate our skin – from the epidermis to the hypodermis. The workshop offers a reflection on these invisible and intimate companions who live with us and yet remind us that we are immense, part of the planetary universe.
To provoke a multisensory encounter between the participants and their microbiomes, images of the colonies that result from each person’s microorganisms will be shared and discussed. Participants will produce lacto-fermented vegetables with their own lactobacilli, as well as sourdough with their own yeasts. During these vegetable and flour experiments, Nathalie Dubois will present scientific and microbiological data on the nutritional and social contents of our bacterial cultures and skin microbiome.
Participants will have to pick up workshop materials at Ada X in advance, Tuesday 17 or Wednesday 18, between 10am and 5pm.
With one foot in the arts (BFA), and the other in science (Ph.D. in biology), Nathalie Dubois’s preferred media are microorganisms growing on fabric in co-culture with crystals, producing an absurd security system or underwear. Her works are a reflection on our relationships with the microorganisms that we cannot dominate or control; on our fear, hate, and love for them. We are of them, and they are in us. So what are we, really? Born in France and living in Montreal, Canada, Nathalie is affiliated with Milieux, the Institute for Arts Culture and Technology at Concordia University.
