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.