(Germany, 2019)
Film

Location: virtual environment

Microbial Self is a series of interactive facial prosthetics that measure and visualize the diversity of microbial species inside our guts, offering insight into our bodily and mental health condition. Each human body hosts trillions of microorganisms, and their composition and diversity influence our physical and mental health. Understanding how these organisms interact with their human host could help to explain different aspects of many complex diseases, or even make innate processes like partner selection conscious and visible. Microbial Masks measure, analyze, and visualize our physical and mental health with every breath. In this way, they create a dialogue between host and microbes through which the host can learn how to support microbial balance and archive well-being.


Discover this world of microorganisms in our virtual environment.

Valerie Daude is a cross-disciplinary (speculative) designer and researcher specializing in product design, cultural studies, and visual communication.

Audiences: All ages
Accessible for people with a hearing impairment.

Concept & Design: Valerie Daude
Video & Images: Yen-An Chen
Models: Pia Rain, Annegret Bönemann