There are bacteria good and bad, as the KS3 syllabus hopefully still gets across. This exhibition (in one of Oxford's under-celebrated gems) offers a look at perceptions about bacteria and associated infections, and the creative possibilities opened up by microbiology and new tech developments. Dumitriu marries science and art in a way that should open up the imaginations of all ages.
Included are pieces of a former work 'The Romantic Disease: An Artistic Investigation of Tuberculosis' which questions the cultural associations society has had with the disease (literature, doom and glamour) and its proposed cures (rest, fresh air), as well as presenting associated textiles and artefacts. The physical use of bacteria to dye, alter or build these objects is probably the USP here, with dresses, quilts and more stained and patterned using specially grown bacteria. The specimens involved have names which'd be scary in tabloid headlines, but having been edited with CRISPR, are harmless, useful, beautiful and make for sophisticated social comment.
Expert talks will be happening monthly at the Museum throughout this exhibition's run, including Dumitriu herself discussing her work on Thursday 2nd Nov at 6pm.
