Slideshow: Sci-Fi Christmas and Regina Spektor

"The many (still) lives of E. coli."
Artist Amy Chase Gulden and molecular biologist Kristin Baldwin collaborate once a year for about a week to create art with bacteria; they paint with E.Coli, and their canvas is a Petri dish filled with agar.

(Amy Chase Gulden)

"E. coli x 6 cultures."
Bacterial art is unpredictable. The images become visible only after the microorganisms spend a night in an incubator, and as the colonies grow, they change shape.

(Amy Chase Gulden)
The science behind the art: artist Amy Chase Gulden looks on as molecular biologist Kristin Baldwin fills a tube with bacteria colonies.
The science behind the art: artist Amy Chase Gulden looks on as molecular biologist Kristin Baldwin fills a tube with bacteria colonies. (Lindsay Patterson)
Baldwin stirs the agar in which the bacteria will grow.
Baldwin stirs the agar in which the bacteria will grow. (Lindsay Patterson)
The E. coli bacteria grow overnight in a homemade incubator: an electric blanket with a thermometer.
The E. coli bacteria grow overnight in a homemade incubator: an electric blanket with a thermometer. (Lindsay Patterson)
Chase Gulden displays blue and white E. coli colonies growing in a Petri dish.
Chase Gulden displays blue and white E. coli colonies growing in a Petri dish. (Lindsay Patterson)
The painted Petri dishes, after growing overnight in an incubator.
The painted Petri dishes, after growing overnight in an incubator. (Lindsay Patterson)
The results of previous years’ experiments.  Prints are made by transferring the bacteria from Petri dishes to drawing paper, and are then preserved with a coat of resin.
The results of previous years’ experiments. Prints are made by transferring the bacteria from Petri dishes to drawing paper, and are then preserved with a coat of resin. (Lindsay Patterson)
"Shadow of a Flower," growing.
"Shadow of a Flower," growing. (Amy Chase Gulden)
"Shadow of a Flower," printed.
"Shadow of a Flower," printed. (Amy Chase Gulden)
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