[spectre] [Bioartsociety] Growing Cellulose - a workshop with Margherita Pevere

[Erich Berger]

Dear friends and colleagues,

please consider joining and share with your peers:

We would like to invite you to the "Growing Cellulose workshop" with Margherita Pevere organized by
Bioartsociety and Pixelache in collaboration. 

	1st session 11th November 14-18h
	2nd session 18th November 14-18h

Location: Pixelache, Kaasutehtaankatu 1/21 Suvilahti (Rakennus/Building 7) 00540 Helsinki Finland

The workshop is free of charge but places are limited to 10 participants. Please sign up by sending
an email to info at bioartsociety.fi until 6th of November.

You can few the information below also on our website:
https://bioartsociety.fi/posts/growing-cellulose-call-for-workshop-participants

The workshop focuses on the aesthetic potential of microbial cellulose (MB) and the philosophical
implications of working with leaking, growing, hybrid bodies in artistic practice. MB is a natural
polymer which resembles skin and bodily matter. Once dried, it reminds of paper and leather. It is
produced by Glucoacetobacter hansenii (G. hansenii) bacteria, a non-pathogenic bacterial strain.
Participants will compare laboratory protocols and DIY techniques for cultivating G. hansenii and
investigate the aesthetic and design potential of MB in a dedicated prototyping session. Insights
into G. hansenii  life cycle will promt participants develop innovative ideas, gain specific
knowledge, and critically address issues of sustainability, ethics, and aesthetics of working with
living organisms. A discussion will follow.

The workshop is open to artists, designers, students and everybody who is interested.
No prior knowledge is required, however participants with some experience are welcome.

1st day
- microbial cellulose: biomedical, artistic, and design applications
- G. hansenii cultures: lab & DIY techniques
- how to protect cultures from mold and contamination
- material observation: fresh and dried MB

2nd day
- coating and dying techniques
- sketching and prototyping
- discussion
 
About Margherita Pevere (Berlin/Helsinki):
Deeply fascinated by biological processes, Margherita Pevere is a visual artist and researcher
investigating decay and transformation. Her practice features a unique combination of organic and
technological materials: she grows bacterial cultures, manipulates paper and photographic film,
collects organic relics, and plans to store a digitized collection of memories on bacterial genome.
Pevere is PhD candidate (Artistic Research) at Aalto University, Helsinki, where she collaborates
with the interdisciplinary research group CHEMARTS. She is member of the Finnish Bioart
Society.  Most recent exhibitions include the Article Biennial – i/o lab, Stavanger (NO); the Dutch
Design Week – BioArt Laboratories, Eindhoven, curated by Jalila Essaidi; State Festival for open
science and society, Berlin, curated by Daniela Silvestrin; Art Laboratory Berlin, curated by
Christian de Lutz and Regine Rapp. http://www.margheritapevere.com/