Bactereature

Year: 2024

Dimensions: 10 m × 2 m × 2 m

Materials: Microbial pigments, Ceramic

Research Team:  Weixi Kuang, Junpeng Liang, Yi Qian

Acknowledgements: Ziyi Xie - Hunan UniversityAgainst the backdrop of expanding applications in bio-dyeing technologies and the untapped potential of human biological imprints, this project employs microbial pigmentation and digital biomaterial simulation to generate a series of biopolymers. It explores the central question: What forms of life can be defined by microbial communities?

Through algorithmic modeling, the project visualizes how human-associated microbiota can shape non-human entities—infusing inorganic matter with organic vitality—and situates this capacity within a broader natural context. A custom-built 3D printer capable of printing with biological materials was developed to realize these concepts physically, resulting in a collection of objects defined by microbiome-derived colors and forms.

The work reveals the inherent generative potential of the human microbiome while critically examining the ethical boundaries of human–microbe relationships.





Material Exploration



Serratia marcescens cultured in a mold incubator at 28°C and 32% RH


Harvesting Serratia marcescens from agar plate using a spreader to prepare bacterial solution





Exploration of pigment behavior: Serratia marcescens cultured for 48 hours in liquid media, responding to various material surfaces through colonization and chromatic growth.

Pigment growth and absorption of Serratia marcescens on ceramic and fiber-based substrates in bacterial suspension. Absorbent materials show higher efficiency in liquid staining, with most intense pigment development at the air–liquid interface.




                                                                         

Printing system: Cura slicer, RAMPS 1.4 + A4988, Marlin 2.0.9.7









Serratia marcescens biofilm in liquid medium