Biologist Made the First 4 Tracks “Living Record” with Microorganisms

A Biologist’s Remix: Growing Music with Microorganisms

Electronic artist Psients, known to his family and friends as biologist Mikael Hwang, recently released “Signal,” an extended play (EP) unlike any other. What makes this record truly unique? It’s infused with living yeast cells. The EP is available for streaming on all major platforms.

Hwang’s creative process found inspiration in the methods biologists use to cultivate microorganisms in petri dishes. This unusual approach is a fascinating blend of art and science.

Psients’ Instagram post showcases this project:

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A post shared by Psients (@_adaacid_)

The centerpiece of Hwang’s setup was an obelisk featuring a custom-built, hybridized petri dish and record equipment. A specialized substance facilitated recording the yeast cells’ minute movements and their conversion into playable audio.

Hwang’s work offers multiple interpretations. For artists, it expands the possibilities of materials and provides new avenues for engagement with life and living systems. He also suggests that the project serves as social commentary on humanity’s exploitation of living organisms, while also giving a voice to yeast, one of humanity’s earliest domesticated species.

Listen to the track below:

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