The Mikro Collective is running a series of FREE Bioart workshops in Hackney for children aged 8-11 to provide open STEAM education and inspire the next generation of artists. Workshops are funded by The Arts Council of England and aim to show young people that many microbes are safe, beautiful and useful for a sustainable world! Science and Art can be for everyone. These creative workshops address the topics of colour and material.

The Microbial Alphabet | Friday October 29th

In this workshop we will learn about how and why microorganisms make colourful pigment, some of the environmental impacts that come from conventional dyes and the textile industry and the historical and contemporary significance of lino, mono and block printing.

Graphic Artist Oriol Arnedo will lead us in drawing original designs inspired by the teachings of the morning and carving them into our stamps. We will learn traditional techniques of lino printing to produce prints with paints we will mix ourselves from bacterial pigments. Creating a collective alphabet, we will use traditional typesetting techniques to create layered artworks that use multiple printing techniques. Kids will have a series of original artworks to bring home and share!

FAQ

WHAT IS BIOART AND BIODESIGN?

Bioart and Biodesign are developing disciplines of art and design that use nature as inspiration. Our work focuses specifically on using microbes that have unique abilities like making non-toxic colours, biodegradable textiles and building materials to replace current ones that have a detrimental impact on the planet.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Exploring new materials is an important part of addressing climate change. Bioart and Biodesign provide opportunities for creating sustainable innovations. As new disciplines, they can be inaccessible to most people. Our aim is to change that.

On top of this, inclusivity in STEAM has long been an issue with much of the knowledge gate kept by institutions and private laboratories. The misinformation and confusion regarding microbes around COVID-19 is a great example of why it is important to increase public understanding of science. We often fear what we do not understand. There are many topics within science that can have vast implications on society. As a population, how can we participate in the discussion of regulation if we do not understand their potential outcomes and true capabilities? With increased collaboration between Art and Science, the gap between laboratories and the public can be bridged and the excitement around science shared.

All workshop facilitators have been DBS checked. Lunch will be provided.

Email Sarah at hello@themikrocollective.com with any questions!

Learn more at www.themikrocollective.com

See the venue at make.town

Supported by The Arts Council of England