Regeneration - Biotalk

Biotalk 24 - with Gionata Gatto, Olaf Schuiling, Diana Scherer and Ivan Henriques

15 Dec 2016

20:00
Mediamatic Biotoop Dijkspark
Dijkspark 6, 1019BS Amsterdam
Mediamatic Foundation
+31206389901
http://www.mediamatic.net/

With the Co2 particles in the air reaching the magical 400 ppm, and the fact that we have only 60 years of crop harvesting left, it is time for another way of dealing with our polluted environment. What can artist, designers and scientist do to cope with issues of extreme drought, rising water levels, pollution, and waste? And what tools can be used to regenerate and revitalise our ecosystems?

Transnatural and Mediamatic unite to explore the topic of geo-engineering with a workshop, demo and presentations.

Tickets / Facebook
Come early for something to eat at Mediamatic ETEN

15-12-2016 Regeneration biotalk - Interwoven test - Plant roots are intelligent; they are able to detect gravity, moisture, and chemicals. Diana Scherer uses this plant root intelligence for growing fabric-like textures below ground. Diana will bring some of her experiments to Mediamatic's Sluisdeurenloods. Diana Scherer

Ivan Henriques, Transnatural Arts, Research & {future} Design, Arjen Bangma, Prof. Dr. Olaf Schuiling, Diana Scherer

Program Regeneration- Biotalk

14:00 - 18:00 Workshop: Caravel - Ivan Henriques
16:00 - 20:00 Demo: Interwoven - Diana Scherer
20:00 - 22:30 Biotalks - Diana Scherer, Gianata Gatto, Prof. dr. Olaf Schuiling

Workshop: Caravel - Ivan Henriques

Carvels are autonomous waterrobots that feed on the micro-organisms living in local waters. By harvesting electricity from anaerobic bacteria and organic components (via Microbial Fuel Cell technology) they not only provide themselves with the necessary energy to keep in motion, but they also purify the water. Together with artist Ivan Henriques you will explore the potential of these selfsupporting robots. Go here for more information about the workshop and tickets.

15-12-2016 Regeneration Biotalk - Caraval - Caravel uses Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) technology to harvest electricity from anaerobic bacteria and organic components in the water. The hexagonal form has the function to exactly match and join other Caravels to create a bigger surface and operate as a swarm. Ivan Henriques

Demo Interwoven - Diana Scherer

Plant roots are intelligent; they are able to detect gravity, moisture, and chemicals. Diana Scherer uses this plant root intelligence for growing fabric-like textures below ground. She is currently collaborating with Radboud University to conduct her research and grow these new materials in the universities greenhouses . Her project has recently been awarded with the New Material Fellow Award. Diana will bring some of her experiments and works to Mediamatic's Sluisdeurenloods.

Talks

Diana Scherer

Using subterranean templates as moulds, Diana Scherer channels the root systems of plants in order to form a textile-like material. During the growth process the roots conform to the patterns and the root material weaves or braids itself. Following the demonstration of her work earlier this day, she will elaborate on her process and findings.

Interwoven - ‘In my work I explore the relationship man has with his natural environment and his desire to control nature. For the past few years my fascination has mainly been focused on the dynamics of belowground plant parts. I’ve been captivated by the root system, with its hidden, underground processes; it is considered to be the brain of the plant by plant neurobiologists." Diana Scherer

Gionata Gatto

The accumulation of heavy metals in our soil is a big problem for the agriculture industry.
Especially because some plants species have the ability to absorb these metals, like zinc, nickel or copper, which makes them to toxic for human consumption. GeoMerce, by Gionata Gatto in collaboration with Giovanni Innella, takes advantage of this metal absorption and connect the 'mined' metals to the real-rime value of the metals involved. By doing so this proces of 'phyto-mining' proposes a new system in which agriculture, metal extraction, and economy are interconnected. Go here to see a video of GeoMerce.

GEOMERCE Extraction Units - Extracting heavy metals with the use of plants in order to put the metals back into the economic system. Gionato Gatto, Matteo Cremonini Studio 5

Accumulate metals - In the leaf of a plant. Part of the project GEOMERCE Gionato Gatto, Matteo Cremonini Studio 5

Prof. Dr. Olaf Schuiling

For years Professor Dr. Olaf Schuiling has been proposing an alternative method for eliminating harmful CO2 emissions from our air. Instead of the more populair solutions like CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage - storing the Co2 underwater) Schuiling proposes to use the mineral olivine. When it comes in contact with CO2 and water this magnesium iron silicate dissolves and turns the CO2 emission into harm-free bicarbonate. How far did we come since his first writings about this topic in 1964?

Olivine - A mineral that is capable of elimination Co2 from the air. image via wikipedia

Exhibition

This evening is part of Regeneration, an exhibition and program lead by Transnatural Amsterdam. The Regeneration exhibition runs until the 28th of April 2017 at the Transnatural workspace.

Information
Regeneration - Biotalk
A collaboration between Transnatural and Medimatic
Mediamatic Biotoop, Dijspark 6, Amsterdam

Tickets Workshop: €25,-
Tickets Lecture: Students €5,- / Pre-sale €7,50 / Door €10,-
Please note: this event is given in English.