Only art and science make us suspect the existence of life to a higher level, and maybe also instill hope thereof. – Ludwig van Beethoven

One might think that art and science are incompatible. Indeed, they seem to be on the opposing ends of a scale – art is born out of creativity and abstract thoughts and seemingly open set of rules, and science is a practice rooted in laws of logic, facts, and structure.

However, they have more in common than what meets the eye. A new era of art may be upon us, as one that finds beauty and aesthetics in biotechnology that ventures into the world of self-expression (and self-modification) like never before.

(Micro)Biology in Art

A large scale study of genomics at the J. Craig Venter Institute has recently discovered that biology, or rather microbial organisms, could be responsible for the decay of old paintings, sculptures, and other art forms. These microbes feast on compounds found in the artworks – paints, glue, paper, canvas, and wood – and slowly erode the priceless possessions.

A finding such as this one holds invaluable potential in terms of preserving artworks for museums and collectors, and perhaps even successfully identifying them. Microbes on the surface of artwork may have a key role in uncovering the geographic origin of the art and confirming its authenticity. Further studies are required in this field to establish the significance of colonies of microbes living on art.

Η συνέχεια εδώ.