The THIRST 2027 wall calendar is a collaborative art + science project that celebrates the hidden lives of microorganisms and their intimate relationship with water through a series of 12 original photographic art works.

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Bringing together an international collective of scientists with a strong Liverpool creative base, twelve microorganisms are embodied in environments ranging from the Siberian permafrost, freshwater ponds, tropical oceans to geothermal hot springs.

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Blending curiosity, creativity and queer joy to address the climate crisis, the calendar challenges dominant narratives of microbes as agents of disease by revealing their stories of survival, connection, transformation and wonder.

Science communication

The ordinary everyday object of a wall calendar is chosen to transmit science communication, lowering barriers to engagement. The wall calendar marks each new month with a microorganism that brings to light the diversity and ingenuity of the tiny life forms that co-inhabit our little blue dot. Each month’s image is co-created by an artist and scientist, an innovative transdisciplinary approach to science communication that reflects the diverse microbial interplay in our world.

From the team behind Endosymbiotic Love Calendar 2021, THIRST is a self-funded project composed of microbiologists, ecologists, medics, burlesque, drag, cabaret performers, photographers and designers.

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Pandoravirus

Scientist and model Yasmine Kumordzi said: “Thirst is a fun and interesting way to share the stories of microbes from a different perspective. Having this opportunity to share my interests in the complex lives these little creatures live in a creative way has been amazing. Cryptosporidium like other microscopic parasites has such a difficult and complicated life; changing environment between the gut and soil/water, sexuality, morphology and ways of infection throughout. Taking part in this project has taught me different ways to see the day-to-day science I do, thinking outside the box in how stories and science can be communicated.”

Follow the team on social media at @thirst.calendar.

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