Art

Item Description

ARTIST:      Jesseca Ferguson
TITLE:        Chin of Gold, Bioluminescent Moon (Whipple and Dickinson)
MEDIUM:   Cyanotype print, 16” x 20”, unframed

I am an environmental microbiologist. I study how microbial communities work together for nutrient cycling. I enjoy gaining insight into the tremendous diversity of the microbial world though cultivation and analysis of microbial genomes.
 
Jesseca’s work invites wonder, fascination, possibility. In this print, bioluminescent bacteria from my lab are the source of light that expose the image of the moon, and this knowledge invites new questions and curiosity. The smallest living creature and a celestial body, together: these are entities that inspire wonder and differ in scale by tremendous amounts. Both are mysterious: one we see illuminated in the nighttime sky, and the other is invisible to the naked eye. It is the collective activity of the bacteria by the trillions that serve to illuminate the image of the moon leaving an enduring impression and statement of the power of the tiny majority.
 
It has been such a pleasure working with Jesseca! With this project, Jesseca became a microbiologist working with the bioluminescecnt bacteria in her studio. Once, we were discussing how to best work with the bacteria to expose film and the merits of using grown cultures that could glow at unpredictable intensities after being stored in the refrigerator. I suggested working with fresh bacteria in the same growth state for predictability, and Jesseca was not worried at all: she expressed excitement over the possibility that the unpredictability could produce unique images that would exceed expectations. Reproducibility is paramount in science, however the opportunity and serendipity afforded by experimenting without concern for this came to light as a difference between scientific vs. artistic processes. This
interaction made me wonder how the norms of a discipline can shape outcome and how scientific discoveries could benefit from being more open to creative possibilities.

Item Special Note

Free domestic shipping.

All artworks are 16” x 20”, unframed and will be shipped with a printed copy of the scientist’s text.

For further information about the portfolio, please visit our Art on Science: 26 études website: http://AS26project.com