Advancements in biotechnology are providing us with a new perspective on what it is to be human – that we are in fact an ecosystem made up of trillions of micro-organisms living within and on our bodies. Not only that, they extend beyond our skin forming invisible clouds of microbes, called microbial plumes. The microbial plume is unique to each of us. As we interact with our surroundings, we leave behind parts of it, making it possible to trace it back to each person’s unique identity, where we have been, who have we been with, and our microbial make up.
Body Ecosystem is a half-day workshop created by Nestor Pestana and Deborah Tchoudjinoff as part of our research phase of the Plumial Space project. The workshop had two iterations, one with London College of Fashion students, and a second one part of A Toolkit for the Future – V&A.
Workshop participants were given three characters from which they had to think about possible future implications of current investigations around the microbial plume. Materialisations included wearables, animations, performances, objects and sketches.
Workshop participants were given three characters from which they had to think about possible future implications of current investigations around the microbial plume. Materialisations included wearables, animations, performances, objects and sketches.
Microbial Plume visualisations of workshop participants
Images of the workshop with London College of Fashion students and alumni.
Outputs from the workshop.
Pictures of the workshop with the V&A.
