Bodies are unsealed, unstable, leaky. The fluids in our cells connect us to deep time waters while molecules are digested, accumulated, excreted in the flow of mucus, sweat, urine. Our leaky materiality entwines our everyday choices with a multitude of other bodies, living and non/living, human and non/human, in bonds of mutual vulnerability. The series Wombs (2018 – 2021) meditates on sexuality and hormonal contraception from an environmental, more-than-human perspective. The project propagates through interconnected interventions featuring biological art, performances, and photography. The project reclaims the importance of hormonal contraception and therapy. Sex steroids in hormonal contraceptives modulate human sexual organs to prevent pregnancy. Yet, the same molecules may trigger the endocrine system of other organisms. On that basis, Wombs wonders how the progestine-based contraceptive I take may link my body to other, more-than-human bodies. By reclaiming vulnerability and toxic embodiment, Wombs prompts a critical rethinking of the discourses on sexuality and contraception as a human-only experience enclosed in one’s own body.

The non/living installation W.01 features hanging organ-like scientific glassware hosting biofilm-producing bacterial colonies. Its culture medium is infused with hormones metabolites and residues extracted from my urine by re-staging scientific methods. In W.02 and W.03, slugs are hermaphroditic allies in the exploration of inner and outer ecologies of fleshy desire. Science is unresolved whether terrestrial slugs are affected by mammalian sex steroids. Different species display elaborate mating behaviours, such as hanging choreographies or shooting love darts into the partner’s body. In the non/living piece W.02, a custom-made extra-bodily organ hosts two cell cultures in a hybrid ecosystem. My own vaginal epithelial cells and slug egg cell share growth medium, communicate chemically through it, and stage a dance of the two organisms at a cellular level. In the photographic series W.03, a slug named Branko is a hermaphroditic ally in the exploration of possible hormonal bonds. In the performance, I was lying on the floor while Branko slid on my back in a silent interplay of mucus, skin texture, bones, cavities.

Morphology
A series of biological art, performance, and photography interventions.
W.01 Non/living artwork featuring living bacterial culture, microbial biofilm, the artist’s urine extract, laboratory glassware, silicone tube, metal wire
W.02 Non/living artwork featuring he artist’s vaginal epithelial cells, slug ova cell, custom incubator, silicon tube, custom borosilicate glassware
W.03 Photographic series from a performance for camera with Branko (Arion maximus)
Photography: Sanjin Kaštelan

Credits
Margherita Pevere 2018-2019
W.01 Realized at Biofilia – Base for biological arts, Aalto University
W.02 and W .03 Realized within the framework of the European Media Art Platforms EMARE program at KONTEJNER | bureau of contemporary art praxis, co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union
Biotechnological advisor: Gjino Šutić – UR Institute
Preliminary research at Biofilia Laboratory – Base for Biological Arts, Aalto University
Production manager: Josipa Vukelić, Jurica Mlinarec – KONTEJNER
Slug eggs were provided by Dr Heike Reise, Senckenberg Museum of Natural History Görlitz
Photography: Sanjin Kaštelan, Margarita Koši, Margherita Pevere, Maja Bačić, Yvonne Thein, Omar Bovenzi 
Flameworking: Ivanka Pašalić – Association Stakleni svjiet
W.02 sculpture-making support: Matija Pavlić (Zagreb), Filippo Vogliazzo (Berlin)
Video: Ivan Šardi, Tanja Minarik
The project is part of my practice-based PhD research at Aalto University, Helsinki, supported by Kone Foundation.
Heartfelt thanks to Branko, Dr. Peter Crnčan, Dr. Božidar Perić, Ivan Skvrce (Academy of Fine Arts Zagreb), & Branko, Marco Donnarumma, Marika Hellman, Kim Maillet, Opi, Kira O’ Reilly, Dr. Marietta Radomska, Prof. Helena Sederholm, Siniša, Daniela Silvestrin, Karolina Żyniewicz
Awards
Honorary Mention at the Share Prize 2018