“I am large, I contain multitudes.”
— “Song of Myself,” Walt Whitman

Have you ever considered where life began? How human cells evolved to take on these complex forms and functions? Many scientists have theorized that throughout the course of Earth’s 4.54 billion years of history, bacteria and archaeans, namely Domain Bacteria and Domain Archaea, dominated the first 2.5 billion years, until a bacterium fused with an archaean and gave rise to eukaryotes. A third domain, and perhaps the beginning of human life, was thus born from this symbiotic relationship. Research into the beginning of life continues to this day, but one thing is for certain: the human genome contains many similarities with archaeans and bacteria. Humans are essentially an “island” with a thriving population of different microorganisms, where “I” was never just “me,” but rather “us.” ¹

From “me” to “we” is the concept underpinning this exhibition. “We” refers not only to the microorganisms that we coexist with, but also includes how humans understand their “self” and “others.” We are remarkably similar, yet distinct in our own ways; “I” is an independent entity, while “we” profoundly influence one another. The birth of a child brings about transformations and challenges in a mother's life. Data from individuals can contribute to the health of a population. Appreciation and empathy for cultural, physical, and mental differences present an opportunity for us to create a more inclusive and harmonious society. You are cordially invited to join us on this journey from “me” to “we,” as we explore the mysteries of the human body.

1. Reference: I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong