Where art meets biology: Interdisciplinary artist from Mexico displays works at Saint Michael’s

Bridging the line between art and science is the pursuit of interdisciplinary artist Siglinde Langholz.  

The artist from Yvalgo, Mexico, discussed her artwork in a presentation to Saint Michael’s College students and faculty on Nov. 7. Her work is currently being displayed in the McCarthy Art Gallery on campus until Dec. 13.

Langholz’s work has been exhibited internationally in Mexico in Mexico City, Puebla, Yucatan, and Tijuana; as well as in Montreal, Canada; and in the U.S. in Maine and Michigan. Langholz has ties to New England; she received her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Maine.

Langholz expressed her interest in textiles and how humans can interact with and relate to textile processes in different ways. Langholz showed the audience three of her projects, including both collaborative and individual works.

McCarthy Art Gallery visitors take in the art of Siglinde Langholz during the opening of her exhibit, “Bombyx Mori: Micro Tissue Intersections” on Nov. 7, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Riley Treegoob ’26/McCarthy Art Gallery)

One of Langholz’s works was an interdisciplinary research project called “The Last Breath” in which she collaborated with several biology and environmental students to “give voice to the microscopic.” Langholz said this project took recordings of different types of bacterial growth and the sound of the organisms breathing was projected to the audience. 

Langholz said this project was especially important to her as she has always wanted to go “beyond the human” in her artwork. She said she thinks it is interesting to look at insects and other organisms beyond their physical appearance and said the interior of varied species has always been one of her passions. 

Langholz’s current display in McCarthy Arts Center is called “Bombyx Mori: Micro Tissue Intersections.” This project explores the silkworm as an activator of meaningful conversation and allows people to view the insect as more than a physical entity, Langholz said. 

Saint Michael’s College students take in the art of Siglinde Langholz during the opening of her exhibit, “Bombyx Mori: Micro Tissue Intersections” at the McCarthy Art Gallery on Nov. 7, 2024. (Photo courtesy of Riley Treegoob ’26/McCarthy Art Gallery)

She said the exhibition aims for silkworms to be multimedia collaborators, and students can physically interact with the art. Langholz said that including all five senses is important to her when working with art scientifically.  

Langholz said she has always considered herself an artist, but that science was an early interest as well and is what sparked her idea to combine the two passions. She said she really enjoys seeing people interact with her work and that she is always learning new things from others viewing her artwork. 

“Sometimes when we go to a gallery or museum, we walk, see, and that’s all,” Langholz said. “I want you to take part in my work.”  

Langholz said it’s important that viewers actively engage with her art.  

“It needs to be reciprocal – I’m giving you a gift, but you’re also giving me a gift,” Langholz said.

More information about Siglinde Langholz’s exhibit can be found here.>>

Read a review of the exhibit by Seven Days here.>>