"The biggest, smallest heroes" about viruses and bacteriophages as superheroes

1 December 2020

Redactie openresearch.amsterdam

Amsterdam Light Festival #9

"You can't see it, but there is a war going on! A very important war in the microscopic kingdom of viruses and bacteria, which inspired Breitner Academy students Kawita, Renee and Ilse to create this work of art. The leading role is played by the T4 virus, which attacks the dangerous E. coli bacteria with its 'soldiers'. They look like Martians, but that's what they really look like when you look at them through a microscope. T4 is a so-called bacteriophage, a type virus that destroys specific bacteria in a very clever way. With its 'tail' it injects its own DNA into the body of the bacterium. The phage will multiply there and eventually the bacterium will burst. So viruses do not completely get their bad reputation earning is proven by these little heroes!"

Ilse Kok, Kawita ten Kate and Renée Westland are students of the bachelor's degree in Visual Arts and Design Teaching at the Breitner Academy in Amsterdam. The Breitner Academy and the Amsterdam Light Festival have been partners since 2015. The production process could be followed via this project page.

Marcel Sman made a sound fragment especially for this work of art, which can be listened to on Soundcloud: