The final stage is recreating the mosaic in a microbiological medium. Using different pathogenic bacteria species, because of the colors they produce, the final stage is a bacterial mosaic. By traveling from the digital medium through visual art, the non-existing human face ends up in the field of the natural world, where the laws of nature take place and decide its destiny.

While using the correct colors, there is something else that influences the image – the struggle to survive. While dwelling in the same living space, the bacteria are placed in a competitive environment – each species tries to fight for life resources. During this process, they each decide how to behave – sometimes they grow more rapidly in order to take over the space. Other times they release toxins in order to kill the other around them. In rare cases, they create ‘social distance’ between one another by making a borderline which they don’t cross. In the end, none of the strategies work, and all of the bacteria eventually die.

In any case, each decision reflects on the portrait, and the result of it is a change in the image. This is why for instance, the face does not have eyes – one of the species grows so rapidly the bacteria in the eyes cannot grow.

Two bacterial mosaics were attempted, one was a success - the other less so. Condensation in the incubation chamber dripped down to the agar medium and washed away the cultures.