Before
2011-2012 - Our first clean room was built for the ‘Paddestoelen Paradijs' Exhibition with a permanent structure, including glass walls. (Location: Vijzelstraat)
2013 - Designing a portable metal structure with an inflatable plastic tent attached was deemed more appropriate for the new Mediamatic space. (Location: VOC-kade)
2014 - Modelling of a spacious, durable and entirely inflatable plastic tent. Development also of a ‘grey room,’ to separate the entrance from the clean room for activities such as changing clothes. The clean bench surface was divided into four cabinets in order to avoid cross contamination between the different lab projects. (Location: VOC-kade)
2015 - Use of the inflatable clean room could no longer support the scale of work desired in the new Mediamatic premises. Plans drawn up for an improved workspace and the area cleared for refurbishments. (Location: Biotoop Dijkspark)
Where are we now?
Under the cover of winter and the large green external facade of the ‘Clean Lab’ at the Mediamatic Biotoop Dijkspark, there have been many changes occurring that have remained largely invisible to the public.
The Mediamatic clean lab has been undergoing refurbishment operations since November 2015 in order to create a lab space that is of a high quality with a sterile air supply. It is hoped that the new Clean Lab will be fully equipped and ready for use within the next month and a half (by early March 2016).
The reason for making these changes was primarily to create a lab space large enough and suitable for the growing tide of artists wanting to expand their work into biological fabrication. A lot of existing scientific research labs are not set up to allow for this kind of activity. Here at Mediamatic we would like to provide a lab space especially for artists and the public rather than just scientists in order to further the more interdisciplinary and crafts approach to the life sciences.
Once the lab is fully functional there will possibilities for our own bio projects, like the mycelium insulation project, workshops open to the public, beer brewing facilities, and public rental spaces for individual projects.
At present, the lab is still a large, open, empty space. Staff at Mediamatic have been working on painting, clearing and cleaning the area, ready for the new equipment to be added.
More information and updates to come!