Lecture Series „Local Bio-Based Materials“ / Led by Natural Material Studio, Denmark
6 Months / 20%
(JAN—JUN 2024)
Scenography Course / Led by Matylda Krzykowski at Zurich University of the Arts
2 Weeks / 100%
(DEZ 2024)
WHY
Driven by my curiosity to learn about bioplastics, I attended the lecture series ”Local Bio-Based Materials” led by the Natural Material Studio. During a scenography course at Zurich University of the Arts, I used this material in- vestigation to connect my practical design work with my latest theoretical readings and understandings, connecting design and research.
HOW
In order to deconstruct the material‘s supply chain, I mapped the actors involved in Obsidian, a note-taking program that allows me to create connections within notes/actors. In this way, I was able to gain an insight into the globally interconnected structures. For the objects‘ formings I collected materials from the waters around me and built a tool to vacuum form the bioplastic sheets, resulting in material impressions that capture the traces of a now immaterial object.
WHAT
This work deconstructs the (im)material structures and resources found in bioplastic‘s ingredients, and constructs material bodies from bioplastics that represent the hidden immaterialities found in todays materials and objects.
This work explores interconnectedness of human activity with non-human, living, and non-living entities.I deconstruct the three ingredients needed for a bioplastic—water, gelatine and glycerin—as a means of reconstructing (New)Materialism in my design practice. Central to this is the question: how can I re-imagine the material world around us?
Video Work (01:44 MIN)
Screenshot at 00:19 MIN
Enz, Pforzheim, Germany
Nagold, Pforzheim, Germany
Umeälven, Umeå, Sweden
The explorations of material construction and manufacturing methods that I created during
the lecture series were exhibited at the Three Days of Design in Copenhagen.
The video work showcasing the deconstruction of the immaterialities behind the material processes, such as
the material objects themselves, were exhibited at a 2-Day exhibition at the Zurich University of the Arts (ZHdK) as
part of a scenography course led by Matylda Krzykowski.
—Ursula K. Le Guin
