"BACTERIART, from invisible to visible" has been a year-long didactic experience exploring the link between art and science. Thanks to the partnership with Yakult Italia, Milan and Rome campus students of the BA in Painting and Visual Arts and of the MA in Visual Arts and Curatorial Studies interpreted the gut microbiota's role in a visual key. The eleven selected works are on show at the Milan campus in Via C. Darwin 20, Rooms C.02 and C.05, until September 30, every day from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. During the opening on September 27, the jury awarded the best proposals.
The collaboration between NABA e Yakult Italia and the awarded artworks
For the second year in a row, the Academy's students provided their vision of the world of bacteria, emphasising their relevance to people's psycho-physical well-being. Scientific activities, visits to the microbiology laboratory, and meetings with artists and experts in communication and visual arts: the creative process followed an intense schedule throughout the entire A.Y. 2021/22. The artworks represent the gut flora functions and make them visible to the human eye.
During the opening, the "BacteriArt Prize" was awarded by an international jury of leading professionals in the artistic and scientific fields. The winning project was “Vibes” by Rome campus student of the BA in Painting and Visual Arts, Chiara Nicoletti – a sound and interactive installation consisting of a performance during which visitors become not only active spectators but also participants in a live encounter between microbiology, the body, and sound.
Special mentions were two. “Inconspicuous Interaction” by Tanvi Shaha won the "Doctor Shirota" prize. The artwork stands out for its lively interest in the perception of visibility, experiences, and emotions which are seen through forms and spaces with a strong connection to the needs of the surrounding environment. The artist –student of the same BA in Rome campus – works in various media, including installation, sculpture, painting and collage.
Camilla Gurgone, student of the MA in Visual Arts and Curatorial Studies in Milan, won the "New Visions" prize thanks to “My gut (brain) feelings on-a-chip”. She interpreted the assigned theme in the most unexpected way. Her creative research began with the discovery of the existence of organs-on-a-chip, miniature tissues and cells grown inside chips to simulate the mechanisms and physiology of human organs.
The art exhibition in Milan: all the other artworks
Curated by Chiara Lupi (Project Coordinator and Exhibition Curator of BACTERIART), the exhibition also includes the following artworks: "Status quo" (by Michela Alamprese, Mirko Barcaiolo, Alessandro Sorrentino), "ISHIN-DENSHIN" (by Giacomo Bonfiglioli, Elena Cucci, Giuliana Paolino), "BAC" (by Diego Gianettoni), "The Life Inside You" (by Agnieszka Rymuszka), "Energia immanente (Immanent energy)" (by Priscilla Pinto), "Humanoid bacteriacosm" (by Martina Ferrari), "Balancing Out" (by Chiara Meloni), "L.F.C." (by Chiara Favini and Francesca Caporali).
Jurors evaluating the artworks were Alessandro Cannavò (Corriere della Sera's Editor in chief and President of the Jury), Lucia Aspesi (Assistant Curator at Pirelli HangarBicocca), Patrizia Brigidi (Full Professor of Fermentation Biotechnology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, School of Medicine of the University of Bologna), Eva Fabbris (Exhibition Curator of Fondazione Prada), Arianna Rolandi (Science and Corporate Communication Director of Yakult Italia), Nomeda & Gediminas Urbonas (artists and lecturers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology - MIT, Cambridge), Marianna Vecellio (Curator of Castello di Rivoli Museo d'Arte Contemporanea), Marco Scotini (NABA Visual Arts Department Head) and Andris Brinkmanis (Course Leader of the BA in Painting and Visual Arts).
"BACTERIART, from invisible to visible": event information
Campus NABA Milan, Rooms C.02 and C.05, via C. Darwin 20
From September 28 to 30, from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Free entrance.