The journey seemed to begin smoothly with a simple notation on Fukuhara’s medical chart: “bio-artist.” Shiho and Umi did not foresee the challenges that lay ahead in transferring her cryopreserved cells for artistic exploration. After surgery, with treatment a priority, her cells were preserved. The goal is to question the very essence of “self” by observing the interaction between her iPS-derived immune cells and her cancer cells, in collaboration with scientists.

The exploration of self through disembodied cells had already begun, unfolding in unexpected ways. Human cells contain highly personal and sensitive information, raising a host of legal, ethical, and cultural considerations. This project, far larger than anticipated, now reaches its starting point with this documentary. The journey continues.