We are surrounded by a world that is incredibly small and immeasurably large. Invisible to the naked eye, yet of the utmost importance for all life on our planet: it is the realm of microorganisms. In an intensive dialogue between research and art—through interviews, lab visits, and artistic experiments—an interdisciplinary experimental laboratory has been created. Words from interviews become poetic fragments. Sounds from ventilation shafts and technical equipment mix with light and movement, bringing the underground corridors of the ETH campus to life. This creates images and spaces for association that make the invisible sensually tangible. “undersized empire” is a performative approach to the world of microorganisms and provides a first insight into our research. A preview of an immersive theater evening that will be performed in spring 2026.
Mathias Hannus-El Khoury: direction
Doreen Back: scenery
Stefan Kägi: sound installation
Dr. Marija Dmitrijeva, Dr. Martin Sperfeld | ETH Zürich - Institut für Mikrobiologie: scientific consultation
Dr. Robin Tecon | NCCR Microbiomes: cooperation partner
Doreen Back, Dr. Marija Dmitrijeva, Mathias Hannus-El Khoury, Stefan Kägi: performance