Zymoglyphic Museum Residency
The Zymoglyphic Museum is a collection of vivariums, bacterial mud panels, artistic assemblages, dioramas, and found objects. The art on display creates a cabinet of curiosities dedicated to the Zymoglyphic universe.
In May-June 2023 I was a scientific artist resident at the Zymoglyphic Museum in Portland, Oregon. The Zymoglyphic Museum is a collection of artist dioramas, found objects, and vivariums that are the ongoing work of artist Jim Stewart. The Zymoglyphic Museum’s work has recently taken an interest in Winogradsky columns and living installations like mossariums and other living systems. Since I had been experimenting more with living organisms in my work and was interested in mud panels, this seemed like an excellent fit. I originally met Jim during my Verdancy Project residency in 2022. After visiting the museum I was very interested in collaborating!
Vorticella ciliates found in water sampled at the Zymoglyphic Museum property.
I spent two weeks exploring the Columbia River Gorge and the Portland area while on residency. Jim and I collaborated to make larger-scale mud panels with soil and water collected from the Willamette River, Columbia River, and Zymoglyphic Museum property in Portland. I also visited the museum several times, experimented with algaetypes, and collected samples from the surrounding areas. As a special treat, I was able to peruse the museum’s extensive found-object collection for materials to include in my artwork.
Part of my residency also involved collaborating with Experiment PDX hosting an Algae Happy Hour. This wonderful event introduced people to the incredible world of algae through drinks, snacks, and information.
This residency was fun, pushed my work in a new direction, and allowed me to work with living organisms more closely which I had long wanted to explore. I worked furiously over the summer to produce a scientific poster with nearly 40 identified organisms from the samples I collected during my residency. I also created 3 bioreactors from algae located at my sampling sites. These were all displayed with other amazing Zymoglyphic-inspired work at the residency show in the fall.
When visiting Portland I highly recommend visiting the Zymoglyphic Museum to explore a new world. It’s free!
My installation and poster Microorganisms of the Columbia River at the Willamette River, Sandy River, and Columbia Gorge at the Zymoglyphic Residency art show.
