Interdisciplinary
Bioplastic | 2022
Developed in correlation with the sugar glass, this series of experimentations are inspired by the methods used for packaged goods in grocery stores. Similarly,
Agar is a gelatinous substance derived from seaweed. It is commonly used as a vegetarian substitute for gelatin and also crucial in the field of microbiology as culture medium for the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi. Depending on the ratio of agar powder and water, different consistencies can be achieved. By air drying the solidified mixture, it transforms into a flexible and leather-like material that can be then shaped in a sculptural sense.
Another intriguing attribute of this biomaterial is its ability to capture the biometrics of a space. By leaving the agar sheets in contact with air, microorganisms in its surrounding will land and gradually colonise the material, documenting the specific species of microbes that are occupying the space.
In a sense, this process can be seen as a sort of biological lidar sensor that collects a living type of information and visualises them in its unique way.