New Material & New Processes

Root System Fibres

In working with my algae bioplastics over the last year, I have been unable to find a substrate that feels like it operates in harmony with the bioplastic. Wire seems to heavy and industrial and also poses problems of cutting through the bioplastic. Petrochemical plastics are contrary to bioplastic, and the inclusion would be in opposition to the intentions of my practice in creating this body of work. I see potential in the glass, but there is a rigidity in it, and while not so industrial, for me, glass sheets seem to add a “manufactured” and controlled feeling. For me, they seem to disrupt the organic qualities of the bioplastic which make it seem “alive” for me. The glass sheets impose restrictions on the bioplastic. Although I feel the tiny glass beads work well with the bioplastic, allowing the movement of the material as it cures, there is still the industrial element as the glass beads are used for sandblasting. Despite that, it doesn’t seem too oppositional due to its similarity to sand.

I have considered including a fibre whether in the form of a natural thread, woven or knitted. Cotton, flax, bamboo, etc., seem to be a little pedestrian and too common for the bioplastic. Last year, I contacted Keel Labs, who makes fibre from seaweed, to see if they could supply me some thread. After sending a query on four separate occasions over the last four months, they never replied to any, so I started thinking about what I could use or make instead. I must have seen textiles made with root systems somewhere and that’s why I began researching that.

I happened across Diana Scherer and Zena Holloway who work with root weaving. I felt a very organic textile created with from root systems had the potential to work well with the bioplastic as it would not dominate it but complement it. The inclusion of a root system fibre augments ideas of ephemerality, collaboration with nature, and material agency.  

While neither artist fully discloses their process, I have tried to fill in some gaps with what I know of horticulture and what seems to make sense in growing a flat and possibly patterned root system. All I can then do is experiment with different growing processes to produce outcomes that may be conducive to my needs or ideas. I am manipulating the material to grow in a certain way, but I don’t have complete control over the germination rate or how the root systems go about forming how they do, etc.

The root systems created could be entirely their own project. However, I would like to use them with the bioplastic as they retain a point of difference in the combination. This may change if I find the materials do not work well together. The bioplastic may be too heavy if I cannot create a solid and substantial root system.

Above Images 1 & 2: Zena Holloway | Image 3: Diana Scherer