I would like to focus on capturing microbial elements found in the local landscape of Weimar. I am also intended in designing a micro/macro landscape in virtual/mixed reality. My first idea for the course is to seize, grasp, shape, model and render regional microbial life of local area. I would like to culture mixed microbial habitats and observe their distribution and development in transparent containers. A VR experience that captures the micro/macro habitat of the area will be the second part of the work.
Research
I would start by collecting samples from land, water and mud and investigate the microbial population such as bacteria, nematodes, fungi, algae. Then, I would start cultivating the microorganisms to a point where they become visible to humans without the aid of a microscope. The scientific way of capturing microorganisms includes isolating them in petri dishes then using a variety of microscopy techniques. Alternative to petri dishes, I would like to use Winogradsky Column style tubes or spherical containers to create a small ecosystem.
Compered to isolated and clean, pure cultures on petri dishes, Winogradsky's columns are dirty and mixed. They are more inspired by the natural environment and ecology which make sense of the microbial world. The process is also time based. Microbial colonies living in the sample continue to grow and change over time.