Next Nature Talkshow: Biodesign

A living lamp that you need to feed, a tapestry made of animal waste streams, tableware made from algae. Welcome to the wonderful world of biodesign. This relatively new design movement uses living organisms as essential design elements. The Next Nature Talkshow: Biodesign showcases three biodesigners who are working with nature—rather than against it—to prepare us today for the world of tomorrow. The event takes place on 24 September 2021 @droog.

In the exhibition The World As We Don't Know It - A New Bond Between Humans and Earth, 20 international artists share their visions of the climate crisis. Each artist pleads for a different relationship between humankind and earth. For the opening night, Next Nature Network has curated an evening on biodesign; this relatively new design movement uses living organisms as essential design elements. In this program, three biodesigners present their work, preparing us today for the world of tomorrow. These radical future optimists are working with nature—rather than against it—showcasing future materials that radically alter your perception of nature.

Meet the speakers:

Studio Klarenbeek & Dros is developing biopolymers based on algae and seaweed to produce objects using 3D printing, pressing into moulds and injection moulding. The designers believe that over time, this bioplastic made from algae could completely replace fossil-derived plastics, while at the same time reducing our carbon footprint. The studio established the Seaweed Circle, a local production chain starting with the cultivation of seaweed and ending with the production of biopolymers, in the province of North Holland. The methods of the Seaweed Circle can be applied anywhere that algae might be cultivated.

Teresa van Dongen is researching bacteria as a means of generating electricity for domestic use. Electric Life is one of many translations from her ongoing search for alternative and natural sources of energy and light. The light installation is completely powered by micro-organisms that have electrons as waste material. The future owner of this living light installation needs to nurture and feed the object; a splash of water and a teaspoon of vinegar a week will do. The designer believes this will lead to a closer bond between the lamp and its owner.

Shahar Livne has a fascination for materials and is not afraid to choose controversial materials to work with. ALCHIMIA is the result of a series of material experiments with animal waste streams. The result is a bio yarn that aims to find a new use for the large amount of blood, skin and fat produced by the meat industry. With this project, Livne hopes to interest other design sectors to use more sustainable and natural biomaterials, and to change the general attitude towards the use of animal materials.

The evening will be moderated by Ruben Baart, editor-in-chief at Next Nature Network.

The Next Nature Talkshow: Biodesign takes place on 24 September 2021 @droog

The World As We Don't Know It is curated by Renny Ramakers and is on display @droog from 24 September 2021 to 12 January 2022.

More info: www.youdontknow.world