MICRO-(BIAL) TENANCIES is a multi-platform project delivered through an evolving and staggered program of conversations, events and material incubations and interrogations online 18 DEC 2020 – 31 MAR 2021 and on-site at BLINDSIDE 24 FEB – 13 MAR 2021. MICRO-(BIAL) TENANCIES is curated by Abbra Kotlarczyk for BLINDSIDE Gallery’s annual Emerging Curator Mentorship program, under the guidance of curator Kyla McFarlane.

Through an expanded view to microbial processes of disease and fermentation, MICRO-(BIAL) TENANCIES centres feminist and queer practices concerned with ethics and gestures of hospitality. The always aporetic term hospitality, as Jacques Derrida points out, shares a close etymological and philosophical terrain with its seeming contra-term hostility. From this troubled premise, this project aims to facilitate a decentred approach to host/guest relations within a multi-site exhibition context, in considering the micro-tenancies and transgressions of bodies—broadly defined—in times of crisis. 

DEBRIS FACILITY PTY LTD has been appointed MATTER LIAISON for the development of graphic interfacing and project design towards the image-mattering of MICRO-(BIAL) TENANCIES. Through visual methodologies of cellular reproduction, recombination, saturation and splicing techniques synonymous with scientific apparatuses and species evolutions, MATTER LIAISON articulates micro-transgressions for broader host/guest relations.

Throughout the course of the project’s development, an initial inventory of five discrete critter icons will reproduce, mutate and evolve to encompass the full capacity of activities for MICRO-(BIAL) TENANCIES.

Visit: https://microbialtenant.net/