workshop:

The Alchemy of Silk

Workshop with Joe Davis (US)

26 Aug 2016

Imagine huge blankets of genetically modified silks that can absorb reactor meltdown by-products at nuclear accident sites such Chernobyl and Fukushima. Sounds like science-fiction right? In this workshop with bio-art pioneer Joe Davis, you will learn how to bio-mineralize your own silk fibers with metallic gold and by doing so generate materials with unprecedented properties for both art and fashion, as well as for novel scientific applications.

Facebook / Tickets (30% discount for artists + students)
In collaboration with Baltan Laboratories.

Joe Davis, Baltan Laboratories, Mediamatic Foundation

Bio-mineralization

Biominerals, minerals produced by living organisms, perform important roles in the structural support and defense of many organisms. These minerals form the natural structural foundations of many organisms like the shells of mollusks and the skeletons of many terrestrial animals. The first evidence of bio-mineralization dates to some 750 million years ago and some sponge-like organisms may have formed calcite skeletons as long ago as 630 million years.

Golden Silk, the stuff from fairytales - Joe Davis uses genetically modified silk moths to generate a new golden fabric

What you will do

For this workshop you will use fibers from silk moths enhanced with a gene for a bio-mineralizing protein from the marine sponge, Tethya aurantia. This particular sponge uses an enzyme, silicatein, to form its silica (glass) endoskeleton from soluble silica found in seawater.

You will learn how to ‘magically’ transform your genetically modified silk into a metallic and precious fabric by stripping it bare, bathing the fabric in a chelating agent and infusing it into a solution containing a soluble form of metallic gold. The result? Your own threads of Golden Silk, the stuff of legends and fantasy.

Tethya Aurantia - The golf ball sponge, or orange puffball sponge, is a species of demosponge belonging to the family Tethyidae. It is spherical in shape, with a warty surface, and grows to about 10 cm in diameter. Oscula are present on the upper surface. The surface has sharp protruding spicules which can cause skin irritation if touched. (Wikipedia)

More details about the process of bio-mineralization and procedure will be explained in the workshop. No prior knowledge is needed, however a feeling for the scientific vocabulary will help you on your way.

While we wait for the Bio-mineralization to happen, Joe will tell you some more about another project of his: Reversals of Fortune, a talk that includes an account of his work to resolve the microbiome of money dust.

The gold-biomineralized silk created by workshop participants can be picked up on Sun. 28 or Mon.29 between 10:00 - 19:00 at Mediamatic.

The alchemy of Silk - Using genetically modified moths to produce golden silk Joe Davis

GM silk moths

For this workshop you will use the Bombyx mori silk moths which are genetically modified by Joe Davis in collaboration with Tara Gianoulis and Mariko Kasuya at Harvard Genetics, and Hideki Sezutsu at the Japanese National Institute of Agrobiological Sciences in Tsukuba, Japan.

Illustration of the Anatomy of Silk - Sild moths can be genetically modified to create golden solk Joe Davis

Information
The alchemy of silk
Workshop: Bio-mineralizing - with Joe Davis
Friday Aug. 26, 12:00 - 18:00**
Tickets: Students + Artist*** €45,- / Regular €65,-
Facebook event

**Your bio-mineralized silk can be picked on Sun. 28 or Mon.29 between 10:00 - 19:00 at Mediamatic.
*** Please bring proof our your KVK nr or student card

Mediamatic Biotoop, Dijkspark 6, Amsterdam