I have always been interested in the interactions between art and science. For this project, I decided to create a living artwork installation that showcases the microbes in my local environment.

I was inspired by the work of Sergei Winogradsky (1856-1953), a Russian microbiologist who pioneered the idea of incubating microbial ecosystems in glass containers. The specimens, which he collected from ponds and soils, created colorful gradients when incubated over time.  These color gradients captivate my attention because they provide a unique signature for each colony; in addition, the gradients remind me of the work of abstract artists such as Mark Rothko (1903 - 1970), who experimented with color theory.

I collected and incubated samples from five local sites in order to create a tapestry that represents my local environment:

• Hale Creek, Los Altos Hills (freshwater)

• Stevens Creek, Cupertino (freshwater)

• Shoreline Lake, Mountain View (brackish water)

• Baylands, Palo Alto (saltwater)

• Alviso Salt Flats, Alviso (saltwater)

Next, I invented a system of acrylic panels, which serve as both the containment structure for the microbial colonies as well as an artistic medium to showcase their growth. Over months and years, each colony adapts and changes with the seasons, revealing a spectrum of colors, and making visible that which is otherwise unseen.