BioQuantum Record: Exploring otherness through extremophilic microorganisms

Abstract

The art-science collaboration BioQuantum Record aims to bridge scientific inquiry and artistic narrative using an astrobiological lens to explore fundamental questions regarding life, otherness, and the human perspective. We propose sending extremophilic archaea, "microbial astronauts", to potentially make contact with extra-terrestrial microorganisms. This transdisciplinary approach merges art and science by maintaining a liminal state of uncertainty and openness to new forms of knowledge. We further used anthropological tools to examine how meaning and knowledge are constructed across disciplines. This resulted in an art-science performance and exhibition, fusing scientific protocols with an artistic narrative to create a science fiction-inspired presentation. We conclude that astrobiology can be used as a means to explore otherness, with transdisciplinarity creating a shared space for encountering uncertainty and generating new inquiries.