Through a series of films, canvases and a dynamic living wall, the REFRESH exhibition invites audiences to contemplate the impact of prehistoric organisms on our planet and their potential in shaping a cleaner future. 

Associate professor and filmmaker Erin Espelie and Jeffrey Cameron, assistant professor of chemistry, first met at a CU Boulder Research & Innovation Office workshop, where they recognized a unique opportunity to combine their expertise and collaborate at the intersection of biochemistry and the arts. 

During three years of research and creative work, this art-science collaboration delved into the intricate movement of cyanobacteria. Espelie’s documentary focused on innovative ways to ethically record the natural world, while Cameron’s work centered around using advanced microscopy and synthetic biology, and how ancient organisms can be used to solve modern problems.

Photos: Four differenct species of cyanobacteria (top); viewers of the exhibition explore the form and color of the cyanobacteria. Photos by: Erin Espelie, Evan Johnson and the Jeffrey Cameron Laboratory.