Yunzhi/Melissa Li     About     Works
           


 

REBUILD A WORLD WITH BACTERIA:
Microcosm of Identity


Project Overview


"Microcosm of Identity" is an explorative art project that blends biological art, digital technology, and conceptual inquiry into a unified visual exploration of collective identity. Inspired by everyday observations and interactions, this project extends beyond traditional boundaries of digital and biological media to propose a new perspective on identity and interconnectedness.


Inspiration and Concept

The project began with an everyday basic observation: a collection of fallen hair in a shared bathroom, a mundane byproduct of daily life yet symbolically rich. This led to the contemplation of a merged, communal identity emerging from these shared, often overlooked elements. The question posed was: "What makes up one’s identity?" This inquiry drove the creative process, exploring how common but unexpected items could be transformed into a collective narrative.

Collection and Cultivation


  • Collecting biological samples, such as fallen hair, and cultivating them in petri dishes.
  • Documenting the growth and development of bacteria over a month, capturing the emergence of new, collective identities from these shared biological materials.

 
bacteria cultivation - first batch





 

3D Scanning and Digital Transformation


  • Utilising PolyCam 3D scanning technology to digitise the matured bacterial cultures from the petri dishes.
  • The finished scans look like foreign environmental landscapes



3D Navigation in Unreal Engine




AI Integration and Visual Morphing





Shown in: 
Group Exhibition "Ascertain," Espacio Art Gallery, 18 - 21 July


Group Exhibtion / Workshop “Senstations”, Something 2 Chew On, the Bath House, 10 november 2024


InterAct, Cornerstone Studios // Hypha Studios, Feb - March 2025
https://hyphastudios.com/interact-exhibition/
credit: Carlo Zambon
credit: Carlo Zambon



© melisssayunzhi, 2025