ARTIS-Micropia celebrates tenth anniversary with microbe cake
- 30 September 2024
ARTIS-Micropia is ten years old today and is celebrating with cake. Especially for this anniversary, the microbe museum had a cake baked by Patisserie Holtkamp Amsterdam.
Microbe cake
With this exclusive cake by Patisserie Holtkamp Amsterdam, ARTIS-Micropia playfully demonstrates how microbes as clean-up agents in nature close the cycle. Because even such a delicious cake is eventually tidied up by microbes. ‘When ARTIS approached us to make a cake for microbes, we were immediately excited. The nice thing about this job is that we have to think completely differently than normal. Where you normally want to avoid moulds in a cake for food safety reasons, we actually want them now. That took some thinking around,’ says Jordy Cambach of Patisserie Holtkamp Amsterdam.
The mouldy cake is a living work of art, a treat for the invisible microbes.
With this celebratory cake, ARTIS-Micropia is drawing attention to the importance the smallest but most influential form of life: micro-organisms. Two-thirds of all life is invisible and consists of microorganisms. Microbes are essential on Earth and in our bodies. Microalgae in the ocean, for example, produce half of all the oxygen in our atmosphere. Fungi and bacteria convert the organic material of dead animals and plants into new raw materials. And gut bacteria help digest your food.
ARTIS-Micropia was the very first microbe museum in the world and after 10 years, it is still one of a kind.
Ten years of invisible life made visible
Here, the invisible world of microbes is made visible. Thomas Swierts, head of ARTIS-Micropia on the importance of the museum: ‘ARTIS-Micropia wants to enthuse young and old about the smallest and perhaps most successful organisms. In the museum, you will find over 40 species of living microbes that you can view under the microscopes. Lab technicians take care of these microbes from a real laboratory. This is how we want to narrow the gap between science and the public and get everyone interested in micronature.’
Programming during anniversary year
Throughout the year, ARTIS-Micropia celebrates with special exhibitions and events. On 30 September, Micropia kicks off the anniversary year with two special exhibitions. These include the opening of the ARTIS-Micropia Art & Design Exhibition, which will remain visible until 17 February 2025. An anniversary exhibition featuring works by four artists from the movement of bio-art in which art, science and nature come together. In addition, the microbe cake will be on display for ARTIS-Micropia visitors to see what role microbes play as nature's ultimate clean-up artists.
Essential to the story of ARTIS
Micropia is an indispensable part of ARTIS, where animals, plants, microbes and stars come together in a monumental setting. ‘At ARTIS, you experience nature in the broadest sense. From the animals and plants in ARTIS Park, to the overwhelming cosmos in the Planetarium. And from underwater life in the Aquarium to man's place in the big picture in the ARTIS Large Museum. Micropia tells the story of invisible life. I am incredibly proud that after ten years, the museum is still as relevant as when it opened in 2014. Actually even more relevant. You notice that the museum is a platform both nationally and internationally for anyone who wants to learn more about micro-organisms. From scientist to day tourist, the museum appeals to everyone,’ said ARTIS director Rembrandt Sutorius.
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