GMU:DIY Biolab “Driver’s License”/Mana Mazidy

Glowing Banknote tell the true story. A banknote is a document that serves as a means of payment in a particular country. The banknote is a small poster that tells the story of a country. In this project we try to show that the true story is hidden behind the beautiful photo. Behind the laughing faces of politicians, men scream for help, crying the mothers and trembling children. Here you will not see famous politicians, people laughing and beautiful nature, but you can see the sad story that is happening right now!

The banknotes are public media. it means everyone knows them! You do not need to go to the museum to see them. that's why we think of it as a very powerful medium and want to use it to tell the true story of the countries!

But how?

The publishers of banknotes try to make their banknotes difficult to copy. They use different techniques to control the correct banknotes One of the techniques is: Fluorescent colors It is used printing ink containing fluorescent pigments. In short-wave UV light, depending on the choice of pigment, colors are emitted in the visible light spectrum. In this project instead of pigments we use bacteria to draw our pictures. So we have a connection between human, media and bacteria!

Which bacteria?

bioluminescence

Bioluminescence is the production and emission of light by a living organism. It is a form of chemiluminescence. Bioluminescence is a form of chemiluminescence where light energy is released by a chemical reaction. This reaction involves a light-emitting pigment, the luciferin, and a luciferase, the enzyme component.

So we have a connection between humans, media and bacteria. You can see the normal photos on banknote, but when the light is off, the bacteria will glow and you'll see glowing photos telling the right story.