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It's no secret that New York City's subway systems are brimming with bacteria, and now we can witness these microbes in their active state.
Brooklyn-based artist Craig Ward embarked on a project to collect samples from subway poles, cultivating them in petri dishes. His inspiration came from a woman who cultured bacteria from her son's handprint, reminding him of the adage, “gripping a subway railing is like shaking hands with a hundred people simultaneously."
The daring artist traveled across all 22 subway lines, armed with sterile sponges, meticulously swabbing handrails and plastic seating.
“Once I began unpacking scientific tools and petri dishes, people definitely took notice,” Ward shared with New York magazine. “However, no one confronted me. The subway allows you to do almost anything without question.”
The collected samples were placed in agar and incubated in a controlled, warm setting. To add a creative touch, Ward arranged the bacteria in patterns resembling the subway line letters, illuminating them in their respective colors (green for the G line, orange for the B line, and so on).
Although visually striking, Ward discovered several harmful microorganisms, including E. coli and salmonella. After viewing his work, you might feel compelled to wash your hands immediately.
F Train (featuring E. coli, Micrococcus luteus, and Bacillus subtilis), courtesy of Craig Ward
G Train (containing E. coli, salmonella, Micrococcus luteus, and Bacillus subtilis), courtesy of Craig Ward
L Train (featuring E. coli, Proteus mirabilis, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis, and Serratia marcescens), courtesy of Craig Ward
B Train (containing E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis), courtesy of Craig Ward
Craig Ward
Click to expand, Craig Ward
