We believe that microbes cause diseases that spread through epidemics. But let us not forget that the “small beings” that make up the world are a source of wonder to those studying them under the microscope. Distancing ourselves from microbes in order to alter their behaviour, categorising their diverse forms and controlling their proliferation are an extension of how other societies trap insects and spirits so as to interact with them.

Beyond the fear that microbes spark due to their ability to work in the infravisible, known to us for two centuries, the exhibition also reminds us of their long-standing use in fermentation. Through their presence in our foods and drinks, microbes represent connections between the world inside of us and the world outside of us. What can infect us if we do not stay at bay can also be cultivated as a way to form worlds.

By incorporating scientific tools, ethnographic objects and contemporary artworks, the exhibition suggests how to cope with the disorder caused by the small beings around us.

TOOLS FOR THE VISIT

Tools for your visit are available to download: