(re)growing the city

CrAFt Student think/do tank Amsterdam 2024

Would you like to be part of a transformative journey of urban renewal through gardening?

Let’s explore the intriguing possibilities of revitalizing our urban environment by (re)imagining the city as a lush, interconnected mosaic, growing green corridors that bring our surroundings to life. Consider the potential of each tile to contribute to a larger narrative of sustainable urban development.

Register now to secure your spot in ‘(re)growing the city’, the student-driven think/do tank taking place on February 29th in Amsterdam

Please note: there is a maximum number of 40 participants. Spots will be allocated on a first-come-first-served basis. The event is open for students from all levels (BA, MA, PhD), disciplines and cities.

When: 29th February 2024 from 11:00 to 18:00

Location: Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam

What’s included: free event, with lunch.

Register now!

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

European League of Institutes of the Arts

Inforegio - Download centre for visual elements


Move to a new location

—> BIG NEWS !!!

We are now in our new location!

ON MONDAY the 22nd of January we left Blaak 4.1 and moved to Wijnhaven 01.118 (on the first floor) near the Dig lab.

We are now easier to find and in a better room.

Come to visit us!

You can see here the new space and construction in progress:

 


Electives October 2023 – Biobased materials

A new edition of making biobased and therefore biodegradable materials. It is a field in development where you can innovate and design new ideas.

This time, we had some inspiring presentations and students were free to experiment in teams grouped by center of interest.

It has been a very inspiring week.

Lectures

Kas Houthuijs: Non-human perspectives

Anna Vershinina: ExoGardens: Designing Eco-Habitats for Extreme Frontiers

Discussion around design perspectives focusing on sustainability:

Some examples of the created samples:


MAKING LEAF MOULD–EMBODIED RESEARCH

Register before it’s too late!

Explorative Actions – Embodied Research 

Making Leaf Mould  

Workshops for 3 different groups on November 6th, 7th and 13th  from 9.00-10.30 am
By collecting leaf litter, we investigate the difference between leaf litter, composted leaves and GFT (Vegetables, Fruit & Garden waste) compost. What is the effect of the environment on the material, what can you use it for and how and in what can we compost the leaf litter on our rooftop garden? At the same time, we investigate our environment and human behaviour. We meet outside Blaak 10 

On Wednesday 15th November from 5.30-7  all three groups will meet in our Research Station for a joint inventory of observations and collected material and to start with selecting and editing,  and the presentation of sketches (maquettes) of containers for the leaf litter. We meet in WH 0.301 

Tutors: Wilma Knol & Sandrine D’Haene 

 

References 

  1. Arnold, Catherine. Healthy soils are live-giving black gold. ScienceNewsExplores, Febr 25 2021; 
  1. Don, Monty. How to make leaf mould. Gardenersworld.com ; BBC, 22 July 2019 “00:01:28 
  1. Bladeren uit Rotterdamse straten worden booster voor het bodemleven. Open Rotterdam, 30 nov. 2021 
  1. Anne Geene, fine artists & photographer, made a book:  Geene, Anne. No. 235 : Encyclopaedia of an Allotment. De HEF, 2014.  This was her graduation project in 2010 at Academie St. Joost Breda 
  1. Crowther, Thomas. The global movement to restore nature’s biodiversity. Youtube “00:11:36 

#Rotterdam#leaf mould#leaf litter #environment#sensory explorations#human behavior#urban nature#exploring #observing&documenting #collecting #filing #editing 

 

 


Permacomputing

Permacomputing lecture series: instrument vs instrumentalisation

This is a collaboration of Interaction Station with Living Station.

By Aymeric Mansoux

Description

In the coming months the Interaction Station will be the host for several lectures, seminars and workshops on the topic of permacomputing. Inspired by permaculture, permacomputing is a nascent idea and community of practice interested in developing more sustainable approaches to computer/net technology, maximizing hardware lifespans, minimizing energy use and focussing on the use of already available computational resources.

Each lecture will be given twice to provide more options to attend. A work-in-progress overview of the program can be found at  https://permacomputing.net/permacomputing_in_the_arts/

The first session will discuss computer and network technology and its problematisation. While computer and network technologies have an important place in art and design academies, there is an increasing tension between the potential of novel computer and network technologies as powerful creative instruments and media, versus the increasing instrumentalisation of the field of art and culture production by the computer industry. In this lecture, we will contrast this situation with permacomputing, a nascent concept and community of practice, that invites hackers, artists and designers to be more mindful of these new computational wonders, by radically rethinking their relationship and usage of extractive and unsustainable computers and network technology.

https://permacomputing.net/permacomputing_in_the_arts/


Projects with the Living Station Lab

Our new facilities the Living Station Lab at WdKA is running since October 2022 and hosted already some nice projects.

If you wonder what can be done in our new station here are few examples:

Putting down roots

Esther came to work in the Living Lab to be able to grow mycelium and visualize the network it created when growing. The connection between humans and the fungi world is a topic we would like to explore further in the Living Station Lab.

“The Living Station Lab has been a great support in realizing this project. Growing mycelium cultures and looking at them through the microscope helped me enter the hidden world of fungi and gave me a bigger understanding and appreciation of the wonderful realm of mycelium.” – Esther Maij, Fine Art Graduate WDKA 2023

Human mycelium

Human Mycelium is part of the research project Putting Down Roots, a multidirectional exploration of roots and rhizomes, situated on Buitenplaats Brienenoord. Human Mycelium is a collective action of recreating tree roots and fungi overground. Join in and become the ‘human mycelium’ by artificially connecting these separated trees together with branches and string, highlighting their interconnected nature. The work was exhibited during the Graduation Show 2023 in front of the Willem de Kooning Bleak entrance.

Putting Down Roots investigates how the ‘invisible’ life below the forest can be made visible and how humans can form sustainable sympoietic relationships with nature. From the rhizomatic (non-linear) research emerged multiple artworks as fruiting bodies.

 

Scobyosa

Anne Visser came to work in the Living Station after picking up 50kg of SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast, bacteria cellulose, a leather-like product of tea fermentation) residue from a Kombucha Brewery and started investigating the qualities and possibilities of bacterial cellulose. She experimented with form, colour, texture and function and started growing SCOBYS herself for a light sculpture.
During her research, she discovered that the material has various wonderful qualities that all deserve to be in the spotlight. She combined her findings in a sensory installation in which the material can be experienced in a variety of ways that allow the visitor to become acquainted with bacterial cellulose, such as its smell and taste, growing, harvested, and as a light sculpture.

Anne was very explorative with bacteria cellulose. She could grow large pieces in our storage room and we exchanged about her experiments, especially making the SCOBY conductive. This was a new approach that we hope will be explored further.

 

 

The project Scobyosa delves into the realm of bacterial cellulose and its wonderful qualities and potential. Derived from the natural fermentation process of yeasts and bacteria in sweetened tea, the bacteria convert sugars into an organic material: bacterial cellulose. Its appearance possesses an intriguing, otherworldly appearance that simultaneously captivates and challenges.

In the Kombucha industry, bacterial cellulose is a by-product, losing its value. The material holds properties that respond to different senses, allowing the material to be experienced in different ways and making its value transparent. The installation demonstrates the collaborative abilities of the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) and the transformative potential of bacterial cellulose. Serving as an invitation to challenge conventional perspectives on organic materials, highlighting the importance of reevaluating our relationship with materials and our understanding of waste in the context of sustainability and interconnectedness.

“SCOBY is only so much: it is alive, it is growing, it is dying, it colours, it is culture, it has a strong aroma, it is a drink, it is a snack, it is slimy, it is strong, it is alien, it is familiar, it repels, it intrigues, is it leather? Is it skin? is it natural, is it synthetic? It is vibrant.” – Anne

Coming soon

Gwen has worked with us on her project about data storage in Living Systems. She discussed her project with us and we helped her via our scientific knowledge to create a visualization of the process using cyanobacteria (photosynthetic microorganisms).

 

  • Conor Croasdell

Fungal timepiece

Conor has a long experience with the fungi world and let us dive in thanks to his installation created in collaboration with the Living Station Lab. Previously he had to use the facilities of Blue City but since October 2022, he can study at WdKA and drop by the lab to work on his project. Thanks to our Biocabinet he could create a large sterile agar box where several species of mycelium grow and interact with each others.

 

A growing monument for the lost natures: remediation through mycelium’s metamorphosis

For her project, Artemis wanted to give attention to a polluted area. She came up with a list of toxic chemicals and many questions about it. Since in the lab, we have the microorganism Pleurotus that has the ability to decompose nearly everything, she made experiments to show the power of this fungus to depollute. Mycoremediation is a topic that should be communicated and developed. We are glad to have had the possibility to work with a student of Spacial Design and collaborate via Artemis to this Major.

 

Julius is fascinated by crystals and has worked on this topic with the Living Station Lab using our expertise and microscopes. He explored all possibilities to improve the imaging of our best microscope and the result turned out stunning.

 


Biomaterials

Creating biomaterials is an innovative and sustainable approach that holds immense potential for addressing environmental challenges and revolutionizing various industries. By utilizing biological resources and processes, designers and researchers are developing materials that are renewable, biodegradable, and have a lower ecological footprint.

Biomaterials encompass a wide range of substances derived from renewable sources such as plants, algae, bacteria, and even waste materials. These materials offer exciting possibilities in fields like packaging, construction, textiles, medicine, and more. They present an alternative to conventional materials, which often contribute to pollution and resource depletion.

One area where biomaterials shine is in packaging. Traditional single-use plastics have become a major environmental concern, polluting our oceans and landfills. Bio-based alternatives, such as bioplastics made from plant starches or bacterial cellulose, offer a more sustainable choice. These materials are designed to break down naturally, reducing the impact on our ecosystems.

In construction, biomaterials are revolutionizing the way we build. Researchers are exploring the use of materials like mycelium (the root structure of mushrooms) as a sustainable alternative to traditional building materials. Mycelium can be grown into various shapes and sizes, making it ideal for creating biodegradable packaging, insulation, and even structural components.

The textile industry is also embracing biomaterials. Fibers made from renewable sources like bamboo, hemp, or pineapple waste offer an eco-friendly alternative to conventional fabrics. These materials are not only biodegradable but also require fewer resources and chemicals during production.

In medicine, biomaterials play a crucial role in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Scientists are developing bioengineered scaffolds and implants that can promote tissue regeneration and integration within the body. Materials like collagen, chitosan, and alginate are being used to create biocompatible structures that can assist in wound healing and organ repair.

The field of biomaterials is a fascinating intersection of science, sustainability, and innovation. By harnessing the power of nature, we can create materials that align with the principles of the circular economy, minimize waste, and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. As research and technology continue to advance, biomaterials hold the promise of shaping a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future.

 

REFERENCES:

Material District: https://materialdistrict.com/material/

Loes Bogers, https://class.textile-academy.org/2020/loes.bogers/files/presentation/

Lab Pastoe: https://labpastoe.gitbook.io/lab-pastoe/tutorials/bioplastics

 

 


Electives – Biomaterials for Designers

This week of Electives with the Living Station will explore biomaterials as a sustainable solution. Creating biomaterials is an innovative and sustainable approach that holds immense potential for addressing environmental challenges and revolutionizing various industries. By utilizing biological resources and processes, designers and researchers are developing materials that are renewable, biodegradable, and have a lower ecological footprint.

Future designers will think about the whole lifecycle of the materials and how they impact the natural world.

The Kick-off will give the main information and the students will discuss a particular material that they brought to introduce a personal relation to the choices to make when creating.

 

Lecture: the non-human

Kas Houtwijk gave a new perspective on the invisible but so present world of microorganisms.

 

Experimentation

Speculative prototypes were realized after experimenting with some basic recipes.

 

Presentations

Bikeisko: a Kaleidoscope for happiness with biomaterials and microbes

 

 

Ecofriendly tobacco-packaging

 

Throat clamp: a reflection around our fragilities (animal cruelty and environment threat)


Miso workshop by Erika Hirose

Erika Hirose shared with the Living station and the lucky WdKA students from P1 her precious knowledge about Miso. Students have a 6 weeks program around fermentation with the Living Station Lab and could experiment with growing their own Miso in 3 weeks thanks to the magic starter from Erika.

Erika originated from Japan and has many years of experience with Miso from her family to her own kitchen. She is an artist and very passionate about Miso.

What is Miso?

It is a fermented product largely used in Japan. A very famous fungus in Japan: Koji (Aspergillus oryzae / ニホンコウジカビ) is mixed with soybeans and salt. After fermentation, a paste is obtained with a typical taste that we could try during the workshop from 1 year and 5 years of precious Erika’s jar collection.

Marcin Cieślak

Marcin collaborates with Erika in sonification: he brings the growth of Miso into music.

Erika is involved in making Miso with bread in The Netherlands.

Watch her food waste fight here:

Connect with Erika or get the starting kit to grow your own Miso here:

https://www.wewakeat.com/