CV
Nathalie Dubois Calero
My long experience as an industrial senior scientist and atypical art background (autodidactic and academic) have pushed me towards bioart as a logical extension of scientific knowledge.
Education
Art
2023: MFA BacterHuman:Welcome to my skin. Audiovisual performance. School of Creative Art University of Windsor, Ontario
2019: BFA (studio art-drawing), Concordia University, Montreal, Qc, Canada (GPA; 3.82),
Science
1991-1992: Post-doctorate studies, Petawawa National Forestry Institute, Ontario (molecular biology and transformation of Larix)
1990: Doctorate in life science from Pierre et Marie Curie University (UPMC), Paris, France (Effects of red and blue radiations on Palm trees somatic embryogenesis)
1983: DEA (plant science) from UPMC, Paris, France (Energy transfer between PSI and PSII light reception antennae in Euglena gracilis)
1982: Master (organisms and population biology-plants) from UPMC, Paris, France
Grants and scholarships
2022-2023: Ontario Graduate scholarship
2017: Golf Classic ICB award
2016: Buddy Shizgal Abrams ICB award
2016: Concordia Ceramics Faculty Bursary
1991-1992: NSERC Postdoctoral fellowship
Artist residencies
2024: TTTlabs BioFeral. BeachCamp III: NewRepro-FlaOctomingopus- Non-Human Bioart/Bodyart on the Beach (BFBC NR-FO NB-BB), Athens School of Fine Art, Rethymno, Crete, September 15-25.
2023: How could we make water from wine? A communication at the water interface. Cultivamos Cultura’s residence program hosted by Marta de Menezes (Vila Nova de Milfontes, Portugal), August 15-30. In collaboration with Ada Gogova.
2022: How could we make water from wine? Cultivamos Cultura, May 1-7. In collaboration with Ada Gogova.
2020: Microidentidad, Casa del Escritor (Institute for Art and Science Quintana Roo, Mexico) January 15 to March 2.
Working experiences- Art
Teaching
2023: Pr. Jeanne Moore’ 's graduate teaching assistant Course: MACS 2450: Modern Art Summer term, online University of Windsor, Windsor, Ont. Canada
2022: Pr. Julie Sando’s graduate teaching assistant Course: MACS 1500: Contemporary Visual Culture Fall term, University of Windsor
2022: Pr. Jennifer Willet’s graduate teaching assistant Course: Bioart Contemporary Art and Science (VSAR 3860) Winter term University of Windsor
2021: Pr. Rod Strickland’s graduate teaching assistant Course: Studio practice and ideas: Space (VSAR 1050), Fall term. University of Windsor
2018: Pr. Kathy High’s nonofficial Teaching Assistant Course: Biopunk Fall term. Faculty of Arts Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY.
Research Assistant
2021-2023: Dr. Jennifer Willet’s research assistant at Incubator Art Lab, University of Windsor
2018: Pr. Kathy High’s visiting researcher at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY. Fall term.
2018: Science Instructor at the Sanctuary for Independent Media, North Troy, New York, USA Supervisor: Pr. Brenda Miller.
Artworks
Audio
2023: Microorganisms on my skin (BacterHuman). I cultivate the microbes from my skin directly on my bare skin. My microbes (microbiota) multiply and form visible multicolored colonies inside the jelly tattoos I use to feed and maintain these colonies on my skin. I convert these colors into sounds that can be heard on this track. The microbial sounds are mixed with water noises and my voice. https://bacterhuman.bandcamp.com/track/microorganisms-on-my-skin
Videos (teasers for my performances)
2023:Introtranslation Introduction to BacterHuman: Welcome to my skin performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7eBaX8Dpq0 1min 24s
2022: Dissection: preview Dissecting my body, dissecting the iced Detroit river https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4fNzzq3n4g 2min 17
Performances
2024: Stamping genes: A Speculative Union of Flamingo, Urchin, and Rice, in collaboration with Kristin Lucas. TTTlabs BioFeral. BeachCamp III: NewRepro-FlaOctomingopus- Non-Human Bioart/Bodyart on the Beach (BFBC NR-FO NB-BB), Athens School of Fine Art, Rethymno, Crete, September 15-25.
2024: BacterHuman FEMeeting Sisterlabs Beyond Borders- New College, University of Toronto, April, 1st, 2024.
2023: Holobiontic intimate conversation in son et lumiere Taboo Transgression Transcendence in Arts and Science, Malta Society of Arts, Valletta, Malta 28/09/2023 https://avarts.ionio.gr/ttt/2023/en/presentations/1092/
2023: BacterHuman Welcome to my skin Multimedia room – Soca University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada https://www.uwindsor.ca/dailynews/dailynews/2023-05-26/mfa-students-exhibit-works.
2022: Dissection, Soca Gallery, University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada.
I did not want to leave traces of my performances, which are as ephemeral as the living beings that performed – my microbes in culture, my body.
Workshops
2024: Mater Virus, in collaboration with Cecilia Vilca FEMeeting Sisterlabs Beyond Borders- New College, University of Toronto, April, 1st, 2024.
2023: Mater Virus: Ontological Workshop-Game for Post-Pandemic Reconciliation Taboo Transgression Transcendence in Arts and Science, Malta Society of Arts, Valletta, Malta, in collaboration with Cecilia Vilca. https://avarts.ionio.gr/ttt/2023/en/presentations/1169/
2023: Microbiotal Tattoo, INCUBATOR Art Lab Studio, Windsor, Ont, Canada, Mar 18 https://allevents.in/mobile/amp-event.php?event_id=200024119082905
2023: The world in a teaspoon, The Festival of Birds, Point Pelee National Park, Ont. , Canada, May 4.
2023: The art of cabbage, The Festival of Birds, Point Pelee National Park, May 5.
2021-2022: Workshops on microalgae, in vitro tissue culture, and microbiota for students from the Bioart classes at the Incubator Art Lab, University of Windsor.
2019: Microalgae, Speculative life lab, MILIEUX, Concordia University, Montreal
2018-2019: Hacking GMO’s (Clo(w)ning in the kitchen 2), Speculative life lab, MILIEUX, Concordia University, Montreal, Saint-Charles Public Library, Montreal and Sanctuary for Independent Media, North Troy, NY, USA
2018: Wearing bacteria Sanctuary for Independent Media, North Troy, NY, USA
2017: Roots and Shoots, Plant tissue culture workshop, Speculative life lab, MILIEUX.
Exhibitions
Collective exhibition (selection by a jury)
2023: BacterHuman in Thesis exhibition and video Leamington Art Centre, June 8-Ontario, Canada. https://www.uwindsor.ca/dailynews/dailynews/foodservices/tags/nathalie-dubois-calero
2022: Bodies of water -Dissection in Traces exhibition and video, June 9-26 Leamington Art Centre, Ontario, Canada.
2020 Microidentidad : Casa del Escritor, Instituto de Cultura y Arte (Institute for Culture and Art), Bacalar, Q.R., Mexico.
2019: Ovocamera in Vision in transformation: Moholy-Nagy research studio (curators: Chris Salter, Andrea Pena, Patil Chilinguirian), Milieux, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
2018: Chlamy’heart in Enclosed comforts, VAV gallery, Montreal.
2017: Autoportrait metal and plastic, cell phone in Body Works, ( Gham&Dafe gallery, Montreal,
Collective exhibitions
2018: A nip of xtals and shrooms, Rochelle salt, fungi cultures, polarized Space 51, 3rd street, Troy, NY, USA (in collaboration with Michelle Temple)
2018: How can delete families? Gallery window exhibition, wax, lighting, corn husks, Space 51, Troy, USA (in collaboration with Michelle Temple).
2018 Bacterial voices Wooden boxes, glass, bacterial cultures wallpaper, electronic devices, varia in Conglomerate, Popop Gallery, centre for arts Belgo, Montreal, Canada.
2017 Floating islands Metal, fabric and microbial cultures (4 pieces, 400x120x30 cm) in Landmark 2017, Lachine Canal, Montreal
Artist talks
2023: Holobiontic intimate conversation in son et lumiere Taboo Transgression Transcendence in Arts and Science, Malta Society of Arts, Valletta, Malta 28/09/2023 https://avarts.ionio.gr/ttt/2023/en/presentations/1092/
2022 : Le bioart: Quelque part entre la science, l’art et la philosophie Nuit de la philosophie Nov 8, Montreal, Qc, Canada. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMCZp1Zio78
2021: Queer and Biophilic Approach of the Cutaneous Microbiome online, International Symposium of Electronic Arts (ISEA), Montreal.
2021: We are planets (hiflex workshop, HTLMlles festival, Montreal.
2020: Name: Nathalie Species: HomoBacter Insipiens Taboo Transgression Transcendence in Arts and Science, University of Applied Arts, Vienna (TTT2020 online)
Affiliations
Alumna member of Incubator Art Lab, University of Windsor, Ontario, Canada, since 2021
Member of RAAV (Group of Artists in Visual Arts), Montreal, Qc, Canada, since 2018.
Professional experience as a senior researcher and lab manager (over 20 years)
Industrial microbiology
· Fungal cultures (Glomus, Chondrostereum purpureum) at lab and industrial scales (Myco-Forestis Corp.)
· Micro-algae selection and culture to treat wastewater from a Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) plant in Mexico (Tereftalatos Mexicanos SA Alpek) at lab and industrial scales
· Production of bio-products from this algal biomass (AlgaLabs Inc)
· Oil production in aluminum smelter wastewaters (AlgaLabs Inc.)
Micropropagation and plant improvement
· In vitro production of Northern Quebec greenhouse-adapted tomatoes and garden plants (Serres cooperatives de Guyenne, Guyenne, West Abitibi, Qc)
· In vitro commercial propagation of Canadian orchids and Itoh peonies (Planteck Inc.)
Experience in university as an adjunct professor (voluntary)
2011- 2018: University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (UQTR), Industrial Research Chair on Environment and Biotechnology (CRIEB). In charge of two master students.
1997-2002: McDonald College (McGill University) Department of Plant Science, Sainte Anne de Bellevue (Qc)
1992-1996: University of Quebec in Abitibi-Timiskaming