Symbionts exhibition at MIT List Visual Arts Center explores human-nonhuman relationships through bio-art

At the MIT List Visual Arts Center in Cambridge, the exhibition titled Symbionts: Contemporary Artists and the Biosphere highlights eco-art that emphasizes collaborations between humans and nonhumans. Among the featured works is Claire Pentecost's soil-erg (2012), which includes soil ingots that release scents and alternative currency. Crystal Z. Campbell honors Henrietta Lacks with her Friends of Friends (2013–14), showcasing portraits of HeLA cells. Candice Lin grows mushrooms using staff urine, while Jenna Sutela creates slime mould labyrinths. Alan Michelson's video Wolf Nation (2018) pairs wolves with music from Laura Ortman. Špela Petrič's video illustrates her shadow's impact on cress germination. Miriam Simun's Interspecies Robot Sex (2022) explores pollination via robotic bees. Gilberto Esparza's Plantas autofotosinthéticas (2013–14) features fish and plants in bioremediation. The exhibition is open until February 26.