Coooooties aims to unveil the unfamiliar landscape of the microbial environment that we unconsciously generate and coexist with. Until recently, we have disregarded the vitality, activity, and significance of these biological realms within our most livable domains. The surrounding world of microorganisms is both detrimental and beneficial, yet ultimately indispensable. We inadvertently leave traces of bacterial imprints wherever we go, and as a consequence, these unseen ecosystems reflect our existence on the most microscopic level. The intended impact of this artwork is to provoke contemplation on how the COVID pandemic transformed our perceptions of one another and our interactions. Everyday actions that were once considered casual acquired a heightened sense of intimacy. A handshake, inviting someone into our homes, or even sharing the same air have became simple yet feared forms of connection. Visually, these sculptures emerge from human hands, resembling insect-like appendages. Frantic and desperate, they are confined under large bell jars, presented as specimens. These containers emulate the same medicinal vials used to transport viral samples, imbuing life into something that is typically unseen. Covered in bacterial structures that sprout from their uneven bodies, their toxicity becomes apparent. The title "Coooooties" playfully alludes to our earliest encounters with illness, poor hygiene, or germs, which we referred to as 'cooties' as children. Similarly, during the outbreak and spread of the pandemic, many of us held a similar sentiment towards each other. Our perception of one another shifted towards fear and judgment, while simultaneously longing for the lost intimacy we once had through this shared experience.
