February 9, 2012

Cyanobacteria to Solve the Theory of Everything

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

"...Resources for colonies of bacteria to research a theory of everything, reconciling cosmic and quantum observations in their own bacterial way." -Jonathon Keats

Part of the Vast and Undetectable show at the San Francisco Art Commission Gallery is housing a unique school to study the universe. Jonathon Keats has created the Microbial Academy of Sciences, an installation of cyanobacteria given the opportunity to ponder the mysterious structure of the universe in their own microbial way.

There's humor here as well as philosophy. The press release itself is deslightful madness enough, but Keats has gone ahead and opened the Academy.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

What could the bacteria possibly solve simply by having access to visuals of the cosmos? Though there's a biochemical response in the form pf photosynthesis to the flickering starlight, what accidental conclusions might bacteria infer? This is the brilliance of Keats' installation: the Microbial Academy of Sciences is asking us to examine our senses, our extended senses used for gathering data, and to see our own place in the universe we study.

Much of Jonathon's artwork displays this way of playing and teasing with the rigor and procedures of science. Looking in his gallery and through online searches, you can find images of Keats' The First Copernican Art Manifesto, an outline for art based on the average conditions of the universe ("Painting must have the average color of the universe. Let it be beige."); the self explanatory Prototype Universe Generator #1; and even porn for God using Large Hadron Collider imagery.

Fantastic, provocative science-art.

- -

If you're in the San Francisco area, you can see the group show Vast and Undetectable until April 14th 2012 at the San Francisco Arts Commission Gallery, directions here.

Jonathon Keats gallery at ModernismInc.com

Jonathon Keats on Wikipedia

It’s Time to Stand Up for Science

If you enjoyed this article, I’d like to ask for your support. Scientific American has served as an advocate for science and industry for 180 years, and right now may be the most critical moment in that two-century history.

I’ve been a Scientific American subscriber since I was 12 years old, and it helped shape the way I look at the world. SciAm always educates and delights me, and inspires a sense of awe for our vast, beautiful universe. I hope it does that for you, too.

If you subscribe to Scientific American, you help ensure that our coverage is centered on meaningful research and discovery; that we have the resources to report on the decisions that threaten labs across the U.S.; and that we support both budding and working scientists at a time when the value of science itself too often goes unrecognized.

In return, you get essential news, captivating podcasts, brilliant infographics, can't-miss newsletters, must-watch videos, challenging games, and the science world's best writing and reporting. You can even gift someone a subscription.

There has never been a more important time for us to stand up and show why science matters. I hope you’ll support us in that mission.

Thank you,

David M. Ewalt, Editor in Chief, Scientific American