Liselot Nekkers

"My ‘gut microbiome tunnel’ shines a light on our intestines. Our bodies are incredibly complex, and it’s a shame that so little attention is paid to them.

A few months ago, I found out that I have the chronic intestinal disease ulcerative colitis. Fortunately, I hardly have any symptoms now that I’m on medication; I’d even go so far as to say I’m grateful for the disease. Without it, I would never have seen my gut flora.
It might be because I was high from the sedation, but I can only describe the gut flora with the word “beauty.” I saw a long pink corridor with all these little protrusions that seemed to reach out to me and almost comfort me. I wanted only one thing: I wanted to teleport to that beautiful gut flora and walk inside it. 

The result is a two-meter-long and two-meter-high tunnel made of wool that represents the gut microbiota. The piece is crafted from a very soft type of wool and is entirely knitted and crocheted; this technique creates a delicate texture and is a very soothing process.

Visitors are meant to walk through the piece, and the tunnel is designed to be touched in order to foster a deeper connection with the work and its meaning.

Through art, I explore emotions and hope to convey those emotions to the visitor. Themes such as science, emotion, consciousness, and technology frequently recur in my art, and this piece brings all those themes together."