Moldy Mouth

Millions of microbes live on and in our bodies—including our mouths. New York artist Ani Liu wanted to take a closer look at these invisible inhabitants. So she took samples of her personal microbiome, or community of microorganisms, and grew them on lip-shaped molds. The result: “kisses” covered in blobs of yellow and beige bacteria and patches of fuzzy white fungi.

Liu started her project, called “Kisses From the Future,” by pressing her lips to petri dishes filled with agar. The jelly-like material is used to grow microbes. She stored the dishes at body temperature, 37°C (98.6°F). After one week, Liu was shocked by what she found growing. “It looked like mold on food gone bad,” she says, “and it had a strong smell.”

Liu next came up with the idea of creating agar gel molds shaped like her own puckered lips. She then swabbed them with samples from her nostrils, armpits, and belly button. Each became a unique, microbe-covered kiss. “It’s like a different kind of selfie,” says Liu.

Thousands of species of microbes live on people’s skin and inside organs. These tiny creatures outnumber our own cells. Some can make you sick, but many actually help you. For example, some gut bacteria break down food so it can be more easily digested.

Even though some people find Liu’s artwork revolting, she says it shows them the wonders of who they are—microbes and all. “People usually say, ‘That’s really gross! Does that really live on me?’” says Liu.