Bacteria cloud of clouds is an art-sci project that investigates, maps, and cherishes the microbiodiversity found in the clouds of one of the rainiest places on earth, the Biogeographical Chocó, in Colombia. Bacteria cloud is how we usually call part of the microbiome that surrounds a living organism; however studies in bioprecipitation have shown us that not only are there bacteria in the clouds but these microorganisms might have an important role in atmospheric physical and chemical processes. Clouds are living organisms themselves. The installation combines fog from rain water and a digital visualization of the open source genetic information of the microbiome. As we keep plants’ seeds in banks to grow them in the future, the artist creates a digital seed of life from the clouds, as a way to keep and care for what we want to bring with us to upcoming worlds, those we are co-creating. This installation develops the speculative idea of culturing clouds, culturing life through clouds, and enabling its diversification with them.
Bacteria cloud of clouds / Natalia Rivera - Photo: Natalia Rivera
Exhibit
Bacteria cloud of clouds
Natalia Rivera (CO)
Credits
Project by Natalia Rivera I Produced in collaboration with Fredy Parra and María Cecilia Medina I Scientific advice and research: Lorena Medina, Juan Manuel Anzola, María Mercedes Zambrano, and Marcela Uribe. Laboratorio Corpogen and Laboratorio de Aguas y Alimentos UTP. I Support in research: Fredy Parra, Sara Arenas, and Michael Osorio I Communication, audio and video: Juan Felipe Fernández Thanks for their support to: The community of Carmelo, Chocó, especially to the families of Amparo Murillo, María Albaluz Murillo, Fancy Diaz, and Luz María Mosquera. Christian Galeano, Felipe Arcila, Luis Fernando Prieto, Benkos Camilo Valencia, Juan José Orozco, Juan Felipe Fernández, Paula Londoño, Hermes Fernández, and Andrés Gómez. Andes. Laboratorio de Aguas y Alimentos, Laboratorio de Procesos Biológicos, Laboratorio de Biotecnología Vegetal, and Laboratorio de Biología Molecular de la UTP. The project has been produced as part of the CIFO x Ars Electronica Awards, a cooperation between Ars Electronica Festival and Cisneros Fontanals Art Foundation (CIFO).
Please note: The program for the Ars Electronica Festival 2025 is still in progress.
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