Semester exhibition: Kelp forest

2023

How do stories and mythologies act as a methodology within design to alter perceptions of humanity`s relationship to nature? Can stories reveal our entangelments with the Earth to thus design in more ethical and sustainable ways? These are questions I ask in this project, putting emphasis on the northern Norway kelp forest, which is getting grazed my urchins. The installation present an underwater view to a magical forest filled with myths that creates modern folklores about environmental challenges.

Sharpness.

2022

For the module held by Marton Kabai "Designing our way out of design". We looked for evidence at two dairy farms in The Netherlands (one industrial, one organic) that is not from a human or cow perspective. An introduction to forensic architecture. Etc. dirt underneath the nails, the light, microbes, sound, tags on clothing, machines... I went for a rather broad theme "sharpness". Sharpness can mean a wide range of things. I wanted to recreate my experience at the farms, but that is only one of many experiences one can get. The black "thinking segments" gives you time to think, come up with your own experience, then you will see mine. Mine, as in sharp edges, sharp sounds, presentation, speech, space and handling. Sharpness beig a wide metaphor with individual feelings to it.

Bacteria Lamp

2022

Short version: Dried kombucha looks similar to fish skin and can be used as an alternative to real leather or as a bio plastic. Shaped as a fish to direct attention to the history of miners. Fish skin had a peculiar use back in the days when methane explosions were common in mines. A horribly smelly alternative to other fire lit lamps, but without the cost of accidentaly blowing yourself up from methane accumulation. 

 

Longer version: Bacteria are everywhere. Many think of bacteria as something disgusting and maybe even dangerous. Often placed in same category as viruses, parasites and pandemic. But in a present where we begin to see consequences of plastic and other synthetics substances, maybe bacteria can be the solution! Dried kombucha bacteria culture can strongly resemble leather or plastic. Especially fish skins came to mind while I experimented with the growing culture. Fish skin was also experimented as lamps in mines many years back in time. Disgustingly smelly dried fish skin created a weak green light, phosphorescence. Something that thus removed the risk of being exploded from accumulated methane and fire. Unfortunately, Kombucha does not glow by itself, but did it not provide you a nice story and idea for what humans can invent in needing times?
And thus the bacteria lamp was born.