celluminaria
Elena Sabinson & Michael Brigham
Microbial cellulose is a dynamic organic material, formed when bacteria "spin" simple sugars into ribbon-like polysaccharide chains. Microbial cellulose exhibits chameleon-like properties, at times gelatinous, paper-like, or skin-like, depending on treatment. This adaptability has led to many creative experiments in post-processing, but less attention has been paid to the fabrication process during initial growth. Can we intervene in the natural growth of this material to generate something new?
Grasshopper/Rhino is used to generate patterns for 3D printed plugs. The plugs are inserted into a silicone grid mold. The reconfigurable plugs form multiple designs. The plugs form an obstacle at the surface of the microbial cellulose as it forms in the mold, creating a void in the surface.
Void/Absence: purposefully introducing obstacles into the medium to redirect the formation of cellulose fibers; through this mechanism we can produce pattern, permeability, and space for new media when these obstacles are removed.
The microbial culture and tea mixture are added to the mold so that the level of the liquid intersects with the plugs. As the kombucha ages its darkens in color.
Microbial cellulose sheets after they are removed from the mold. The pattern from the plugs successfully created a void in the surface.
Celluminaria
a humble light that showcases the warm hue cast by the microbial cellulose surface.