Holland’s Next Embryo Model

Holland’s Next Embryo Model is a traveling show that visits various festivals and invites audiences to reflect on lab-created artificial embryos. In this show, the audience takes on the role of the jury. Guided by an enthusiastic host, a range of “models” parade down the catwalk—not fashion models in high heels, but models of hearts, embryos with and without brains, and egg and sperm cells.

What are these models capable of? What are they for? What ethical dilemmas do they raise? And most importantly: what do we think of them? What should the embryo model of the future look like—or not look like? And under what conditions? Who will become Holland’s Next Embryo Model?

Commissioned by Fillip Studio’s, we developed an interactive game table to accompany the show. After a fantastic summer of festivals, the game table made appearances at events like Lowlands and Zwarte Cross.

A collaboration between Fillip Studios, NEMO Science Museum, and the Rathenau Institute, funded by ZonMw.
Photos by DigiDaan and Sanne Hofker.