Microbesinthehome

The exhibition Microbes in the Home is part of the Heimsókn exhibition series at the Museum of Design and Applied Art. It focuses on the collaboration between humans and these tiny household members that can be found in almost every corner of the home. The exhibition sheds light on the diverse microbiome that surrounds us and exists within us; to showcase the different ways we collaborate with microbes in everyday life, and to encourage people to extend their conscious cooperation with microbes in their daily lives. The exhibition also highlights designs where collaboration with microbes takes center stage.

Microbes in the Home is one of the final outputs of the interdisciplinary research project SYMBIOSIS: Human-Microbial Relations in Everyday Life, led by dr. Valdimar Tr. Hafstein. The project, which has been ongoing for the past three years, brings together folklorists, anthropologists, nutrition scientists, and biologists from the University of Iceland and Matís.

Microbes in the Home is curated by Ragnheiður Maísól Sturludóttir, with exhibition design and text in collaboration with Elín Arna Kristjánsdóttir and Ingibjörg Sædís. The exhibition is done in collaboration with staff members at Museum of Design and Applied Arts, Melta, Matís, Biopol, Ístex, Icelandic Textile Center, Elin Margot, National Museum of Iceland and ICETEC.