The MARes in Hybrid Arts program of the Department of Audio & Visual Arts, Ionian University, cordially invites all interested parties to attend the public defense of the following Master's thesis:
Thesis Title: Doublespeeches
Candidate: Nathalie Dubois Calero
Supervisor: Adam Zaretsky
Date & Time: Thursday, 19 February 2026 — 10:00 (Athens time)
Join via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88427921169?pwd=zWg3N4KnhyJLlr2KRbHbmsg9NsYB8f.1
Examination Committee
- Adam Zaretsky — Visiting Professor, MARes in Hybrid Arts, Department of Audio & Visual Arts, Ionian University (Supervisor)
- Daphne Dragona — Academic Scholar, Department of Audio & Visual Arts, Ionian University
- María Paz Tornero Lorenzo — Assistant Professor, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Granada
About the Thesis
More than half of the cells associated with the human body are not genetically human. These microorganisms — bacteria, fungi, archaea, and viruses — constitute the human microbiota. Most scientific studies approach the microbiota from an anthropocentric perspective focused on human health. This thesis proposes an inversion of that perspective: What if the microbiota possesses identities, personalities, or forms of consciousness, and humans function primarily as environments that enable its expression? At the same time, it raises speculative political and social questions: If the microbiota influences behavior, could it also affect the decision-making of public figures? Could knowledge of the microbial ecology of leadership candidates influence how their empathy and suitability are evaluated?
About the Candidate
Nathalie Dubois Calero is a BacterVirHuman, scientist (PhD in Biology, UPMC, France), and bioartist (BA, Concordia University, Montreal; MFA, University of Windsor, Canada). Her feminist and queer artistic practice explores human–microbe relationships through workshops, performances, ontological workshop games, video, and sound.
Attendance
The defense is open to the public. Students, researchers, artists, and all interested individuals are welcome to attend.
MARes in Hybrid Arts
https://avarts.ionio.gr/mares/
