Microbial Fruits of Istanbul is a platform that tells the complex histories of Istanbul community gardens (bostans) from the perspective of microorganisms. A garden of gardens, a hybrid between a soil microbiology lab and a fruit tree, it displays microbial cultures collected from a variety of gardens in the city of Istanbul, which date back over 1,500 years.

Developing a new ‘oral-culture’, this installation will distribute a fermentation kit to make microbial fruits – microorganisms, ingredients, and recipe – that allow the audience to experience, empathise with, and learn about the heritage of gardens in relation to the ecological and socio-political realities of our time. When the microbial fruits are ready to be tasted by visitors, a robotic speaking parrot delivers their histories in the form of fables written for future generations. By using microbes that have evolved in the micro-climates of the Istanbul gardens, the project invites visitors to consume place-specific histories shaped by climate change.

Microbial Fruits of Istanbul is a collaboration with elii for the 5th Istanbul Design Biennial, New Civic Rituals.

The project is a partnership with Mutant Institute of Environmental Narratives (IMNA) in partnership with Istanbul University Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Kokopelli Sehirde and Nadas collectives. The microbial cultures used in the project are shared with IMNA’s partners in Istanbul, who will continue to grow and disseminate the oral-cultures after the Biennial.

For more information see:
microbialfruits.design.bio
Project page at the 5th Istanbul Design Biennial website