exhibition:

Meta_bolus

by Saša Spačal and Mirjan Švagelj

20 Feb 2020
3 Aug 2020

Come and smell the rain in the biotechnological installation ‘Meta_bolus’ by Saša Spačal and Mirjan Švagelj.

Meta_bolus exposes the planetary metabolic process as an exchange of certain boluses or doses that define relationships between agents as either beneficial or adverse. The Streptomyces bacteria in the installation emit a seducing geosmin aroma, a single sniff of which can evoke the memory of a forest after rain. The aroma of wet leaves is intertwined with the history of human resistance to antibiotics. In the Anthropocene, agents are immersed in the planetary metabolic flow in which pharmacological doses are asymmetrically exchanged. Humans are no exception and non-selective pharmacological negligence can result in deadly consequences. Can humans smell the rising resistance to antibiotics?

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Installation shot of Meta_bolus - Photo by Karoline Prica

meta- /ˈmɛtə/ combining form / derived from the Greek μετά- meaning after or beyond

  1. Denoting a change of position or condition.
  2. Denoting position behind, after, or beyond.
  3. Denoting something of a higher or second-order kind.
  4. (in chemistry)Denoting substitution at two carbon atoms separated by one other in a benzene ring, e.g. in 1,3 positions.
  5. (in chemistry) Denoting a compound formed by dehydration.


bolus /ˈbəʊləs/ noun

  1. A single dose of a drug or other medicinal preparation given all at once.
  2. A small rounded mass of a substance, especially of chewed food at the moment of swallowing.
  3. A bolus is a sweet pastry of Jewish origin from the Dutch province of Zeeland. They are made by baking dough in a spiral shape and covering it with treacle and cinnamon. The bolus was first created in Zeeland in the first half of the 17th century.
  4. Synonym for the word shit in the Dutch province of Zeeland

Information

Meta_Bolus by Saša Spačal and Mirjan Švagelj
Open during the opening hours of our restaurant

Mediamatic Biotoop, Dijkspark 6, Amsterdam
The installation is located next to the Aroma Lab on the ground floor of Mediamatic Biotoop.

“Metabolism circulates and generates novelty in all strata matter/culture.” – Myra Hird

Biotechnological installation ‘Meta_bolus’ exposes the planetary metabolic process as an exchange of certain boluses or doses that define relationships between agents as either beneficial or adverse. The Streptomyces bacteria in the installation emit a seducing geosmin aroma, a single sniff of which can evoke the memory of a forest after rain. The aroma of wet leaves is intertwined with the history of human resistance to antibiotics. In the Anthropocene agents are immersed in the planetary metabolic flow in which pharmacological doses are asymmetrically exchanged. Humans are no exception and our non-selective pharmacological negligence can result in deadly consequences. Can humans smell the rising resistance to antibiotics?

Meta_bolus, 2017
Saša Spačal, Mirjan Švagelj

The program of Kapelica Gallery is supported by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Slovenia and the Department of Culture of the Municipality of Ljubljana.ordpress.com

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Sponsors - This project was also made possible by the following organisations: AFK   Stimuleringsfonds  and  Mondriaanfonds