Bacterial iridescence is an elusive, extra-ordinary phenomenon with something vital to show us in these precarious times. A unique natural occurrence in which self organization within bacterial colonies results in the creation of living photonic crystals, bacterial iridescence relies on a coming together, an organised signal arising out of the noise of disarray, visible as the bending of light. This phenomenon demonstrates that a microscopic, reductive view alone cannot account for what a bigger picture and a change of perspective affords us. Seeking to span diverse perspectives, scales and media by working directly with bacterial iridescence, this research project asks — how can we design with biological life?
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