Microbiome Restaurant: Plural Tastings

Humans are not autonomous individuals, but an ecosystem. The body is a “holobiont” that hosts trillions of microorganisms: bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, and protozoa. Together, they profoundly affect not only our physical state, but also our emotions and the decisions we believe we make so rationally.

Through boundary-pushing gastronomic experiences, the highly sensory experiences of Microbiome Restaurant bring us closer to the invisible world within our own bodies. In the 6-user VR experience Plural Tastings, you lie in a human-sized petri dish and encounter some of the symbiotic life forms that live in and on your body. Your body is both a guest at the dinner and the meal itself.

The performance experience is speculative, but scientifically validated. It gives a visceral sense of just how much established (Western, liberal, colonial) ideas about human autonomy and reason conflict with our biological reality. Experience yourself as the holobiont you are.

Good to Know:
- Ages 12 and up
- 6 participants per time slot
- One participant will be randomly selected to lie down during the experience, but only with their consent
- Accessible to visitors with physical, visual, or hearing impairments
- Nut or lactose allergy? Please let us know before the start of the experience

Initial concept developed by POLYMORF in collaboration with Hazal Ertürkan. This project has been supported through funding from the Creative Industries Fund NL, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, and CIIIC

Explore more DocLab! Alongside this event, discover a wide variety of interactive artworks at the free IDFA DocLab exhibition at de Brakke Grond. Reserve your free entry ticket at idfa.nl/expo