RETHINK BACTERIA

Perhaps you’ve heard about good bacteria. Perhaps you’ve heard about bad bacteria. But in reality, there are no good or bad bacteria – only bacteria. – some of which that have started to grow in the wrong place, or in ways that can make us ill.

Bacteria are everywhere on Earth – in the air, the soil and the water. Outside and inside our bodies. Some can cause disease. But they are also at the heart of nature’s cleaning systems: tiny factories that break down dead plants and create fertile soils, that can help purify oceans from harmful chemicals, and capture greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. They are our allies in tackling climate change. But they are also why we have antibiotics that cure infections, self-healing concrete – and the possibility of enjoying a fine cheese.

One of today’s great challenges is that some bacteria are developing resistance to antibiotics, rendering them ineffective. To ensure antibiotics can continue saving lives, we must use them wisely and improve our ability to prevent infections. At the same time, we need to shift our relationship to both antibiotics and bacteria. Expanding our understanding of bacteria and their functions is a vital step.

The art exhibition Rethink Bacteria makes the invisible microbial world visible, highlighting the crucial role of bacteria for a liveable future. With this initiative, we aim to deepen awareness and understanding of how microbial life sustains our very existence – and how closely connected and dependent we are on these microscopic organisms to build a sustainable, liveable future together.

“Bacteria at Work” is a dedicated section within the larger exhibition Rethink Bacteria. It highlights how both ancient and innovative solutions make use of bacteria and microorganisms in a wide range of research, products and services—from biotechnology to food, materials development, and circular systems.

Experience Rethink Bacteria at MOOD Stockholm, October 3–29, 2025 – where the invisible becomes visible.

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Rethink Bacteria has been created in collaboration with Gabriela Torres Ruiz, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden, Antibiotic Smart Sweden, SLU Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Humboldt University, and Pure Effect, together with committed artists, scientists, and industry partners.


A special thank you to everyone who has contributed their time, knowledge, and support to make this project and exhibition possible:

Sofie Alvér, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden; Jasper Buikx, ARTIS Micropia; Elin Dahlgren, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU); Madelene Danielsson, Antibiotic Smart Sweden; Prof. Elke Dittmann, University of Potsdam; Josefin Eliasson, AMF Fastigheter; Ulla Elofsson, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden; Prof. Dr. Marc Erhardt, Humboldt University of Berlin; Carl Folke, Beijer Institute; Johanna Gillbro, Skinome; María Giralt, Humboldt University of Berlin; Dr. Arthur Guljamow, University of Potsdam; Sebastian Håkansson, BioGaia AB; José Joao Carvalho, PhD; Andres Jankowski, sound and visual artist; Jan Klingler, Jan Klingler Designs; Kristine Koppehus, BioGaia AB; Aleksi Kumpulainen; Jessica Lind, Strama Stockholm; Prof. Christopher A. Lowry, University of Colorado Boulder; Charlotta Löfström, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden; Mikael Lundblad; Guillaume Michel Blin, Embassy of Mexico; Ida Näslund, MOUNID; Prof. Dr. Timo Niedermeyer, Free University of Berlin; Prof. Vincent Nierstrasz, University of Borås; Cecilia Nyquist, Eidra; Malin Olofsson, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU); Linda Rosendahl Nordin, Pure Effect; Hélène Rödin, Strama Stockholm; Dr. Jana Schniete, Leibniz University Hannover; Ina Schuppe-Koistinen, Karolinska Institutet; Dr. Carolin Seuring, University of Hamburg; Claudia Schnugg; Kerstin Stewart, Antibiotic Smart Sweden; Thomas Swierts, ARTIS Micropia; Anna Székely, Associate Professor, SLU; Unn Tjörnstrand, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden; Gabriela Torres Ruiz, independent visual artist; Raúl Trepel, Humboldt University of Berlin; Prof. Dr. Natalia Tschowri, Leibniz University Hannover; Evelina Vågesjö, PhD, Ilya Pharma; Per Wessman, PhD; Joachim Åhlander, Pure Effect.