Recycle and Renew: Future Materials Bank Archives Hundreds of Projects that Emphasize Sustainability

Katesi Jacqueline Kalange, part of the series ‘Nature Invasion,’ recycled plastic. Photo by Framez and Wavez, Magezi Photography, and Vanessa Mulondo. All images © the artists, courtesy of the Future Materials Bank

Fashion designer Stella McCartney’s latest collection made headlines with a form-fitting jumpsuit composed of iridescent, scale-like sequins made entirely from plant-based compounds. Lauded for her longtime interest in sustainable fashion, the designer collaborated with Radiant Matter, a studio founded by Elissa Brunato dedicated to producing “naturally shimmering biomaterials.” Engineered from renewable cellulose, the biodegradable material provides an environmentally conscious alternative to mass-produced plastics. It’s just one of nearly 400 remarkable projects archived in by the Future Materials Bank.

In 2020, the Jan Van Eyck Academie in The Netherlands saw an opportunity to respond to the global shift toward sustainability. The Future Materials program was established to position “art, design, and other creative practices in relation to the climate crisis, environmental breakdown, and their manifold effects,” tapping into artists’ and designers’ penchant for experimentation. Through researching and proposing renewable alternatives to unsustainable practices, the program aimed to open up discourse and set “a framework that embraces a diversity of practices and allows for a multitude of voices.”

 

Zena Holloway, detail from the series ‘Rootfull,’ root-based textiles. Photo courtesy of the artist

Placing an emphasis on the availability of different materials around the world, the archive showcases substances and resources found in a range of climates and various industrial processes. In Uganda, Katesi Jacqueline Kelange repurposed polyethylene bags, plastic strips, and second-hand clothes to create lightweight woven shelters and costumes for public performances that draw attention to the need to move away from the manufacture of products that rely on fossil fuels.

Ubiquitous yet unexpected organic sources appear in textiles, such as seaweed, human hair, or plant roots. Intricate fabrics made of roots by Zena Holloway (previously), for example, are grown inside beeswax molds; nature does all the work producing the lacy detail. Matter that seasonally sheds onto the forest floor and would normally rot on the ground, like tree bark or pine needles, can be gathered and processed into modern tableware. And items like pendant lamps, vessels, or stools can repurposed from limestone dust or ceramic waste—industrial byproducts—into functional objects.

The Future Materials Lab was launched in collaboration with the Material Futures Masters course at London’s Central Saint Martins and facilitates “an ecologically mindful approach to material choices.” Find out more about the program on the Jan Van Eyck Aademie’s website, peruse the Future Materials Bank for inspiration, and follow on Instagram. You might also like Phillip Lim and Charlotte McCurdy’s sequins made from algae.

 

Gaurav MK Wali, ‘Cheer Project,’ recycled pine needles. Photo courtesy of the artist

Katesi Jacqueline Kalange, part of the series ‘Nature Invasion,’ recycled plastic. Photo by Framez and Wavez, Magezi Photography, and Vanessa Mulondo

Zena Holloway, detail from the series ‘Rootfull,’ root-based textiles. Photo courtesy of the artist

Leah Fanning, earth pigments made from rocks, soil, and minerals. Photo by Natural Earth Pigments

Hanneke de Leeuw, ‘Remake/Reprint Ceramics,’ recycled ceramic waste. Photo by Tessa Spaaij / Coudre Studio

Agne Kucerenkaite, ‘Ignorance is bliss’ tile series, recycled metal pigments on ceramic tiles. Photo by Studio Agne

Elissa Brunato, “Bio Iridescent Sequins,” cellulose. Photo courtesy of the artist

Elissa Brunato, “Bio Iridescent Sequins,” cellulose. Photo courtesy of the artist

Sakeb collective, “Kabes stool,” recycled limestone and sawdust. Photo by Haifa Zalatimo / AM Qattan Foundation and Mohammad Sabla

Evelina Kudabaite, ‘GIRIA’ homewares series made from tree bark. Photos by Mantas Astrauskas

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Recycle and Renew: Future Materials Bank Archives Hundreds of Projects that Emphasize Sustainability appeared first on Colossal.

from Colossal https://ift.tt/AaTVXKW
via IFTTT

should i eat before or after a workout

It is generally recommended to eat both before and after a workout to help fuel your body and aid in recovery. Here are some guidelines:

Before a workout: It is best to eat a meal or snack that is high in carbohydrates and moderate in protein a few hours before your workout. This will provide your body with the energy it needs to perform well during the workout. Examples of good pre-workout meals include a banana with peanut butter, oatmeal with fruit and nuts, or a turkey sandwich on whole-grain bread.

If you are exercising early in the morning or don't have time for a full meal, you can have a small snack that is high in carbs and low in fat and protein, such as a piece of fruit or a sports drink.

After a workout: It is important to eat a meal or snack that is high in protein and carbohydrates within 30 minutes to an hour after your workout. This will help to replenish your energy stores and aid in muscle recovery. Examples of good post-workout meals include a protein shake with fruit, a turkey and cheese sandwich on whole-grain bread, or a grilled chicken breast with roasted vegetables.

Overall, the key is to listen to your body and eat in a way that supports your individual needs and goals. If you have any specific dietary restrictions or health concerns, it is always a good idea to consult with a registered dietitian or healthcare provider for personalized advice.

How do I raise chickens at home

Raising chickens at home can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it also requires a significant amount of effort and responsibility. Here are some general steps to follow:

1. Check local laws and regulations: Before getting started, check with your local authorities to see if you're allowed to keep chickens on your property and if there are any specific regulations you need to follow.

2. Choose your breed: There are many different breeds of chickens, each with their own characteristics and purposes. Consider factors like egg production, temperament, and climate suitability when selecting your breed.

3. Build or buy a coop: Chickens need a safe and secure place to live and sleep. You can build your own coop or purchase one from a farm supply store or online.

4. Provide food and water: Chickens need a constant supply of fresh water and a balanced diet that includes grains, protein, and calcium. You can buy pre-made chicken feed or mix your own.

5. Provide space to roam: Chickens need space to move around and forage for food. Consider setting up a fenced-in area where they can safely roam.

6. Provide proper care and attention: Regularly check on your chickens to make sure they're healthy and happy. This includes cleaning their coop, checking for signs of illness or injury, and giving them plenty of attention and affection.

Remember that raising chickens at home requires a significant amount of time and effort, but it can also be a fun and rewarding experience.

What is the name of a male snake?

There is no specific name for a male snake. Snakes, like many other animals, are typically referred to as either "male" or "female" based on their gender. Some species of snakes have specific names for male and female individuals, but this is not universal across all species. For example, male cobras are sometimes referred to as "cobras" while female cobras are referred to as "cobra females." However, this is not a widely used naming convention and is not applied to all species of snakes.

Clara Holt Reimagines Ancient Myths and Decorative Traditions in Vivid Ceramic Vessels

Terracotta Blues’ series wheel thrown by Chiara Zoppei. All images © Clara Holt, shared with permission

Drawing on the long history of Mediterranean ceramics, Italian artist Clara Holt covers the surfaces of vessels, tiles, and tablets with playful, colorful narratives. Inspired by the region’s ancient decorative pottery like the Minoan octopus flask or Greek and Etruscan vase painting, she illustrates references to mythology, nature, customs, and folklore.

As a child, Holt’s grandparents told stories of Greek heroes and monsters, and she devoured books about the ancient gods and legends. “Mythology fascinated me because it was like a bridge that could connect our present with a dimension far away in time—a time so far away that it could only be told with a dose of fantastic storytelling,” she says. As she grew older, her interests expanded to Nordic lore and the Old Norse sagas. Today, she borrows imagery and motifs from the timeless tales, recontextualizing them into mysterious narratives.

Employing a traditional Italian pottery decoration technique called sgraffito, meaning “scratched,” Holt carefully incises shallow cuts out of the smooth surface of a glazed pot, revealing the outlines of figures, animals, plants, and landscapes. In her series Terracotta Blues, the characters exist within an undefined story that circle around tall earthenware vases, creating “dreamlike scenes and imaginary characters that leave room for interpretation.”

In addition to pots and vases, Holt makes two-dimensional ceramic tiles and panels, and she is currently preparing a new series for an exhibition in Iceland in June. Find more work on her website where she also has pieces available her in her shop, and follow updates on Instagram.

 

Slip casted by Jacopo Lupi

 

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Clara Holt Reimagines Ancient Myths and Decorative Traditions in Vivid Ceramic Vessels appeared first on Colossal.

from Colossal https://ift.tt/uLSRBrq
via IFTTT

Vivid Photographs by Cari Letelier Follow the Aurora Borealis Across Iceland’s Night Sky

All images © Cari Letelier, shred with permission

During the last couple days in February, a series of impressive solar storms sent the aurora borealis as far as California and Western Australia. The lights were particularly brilliant in northern places like Scotland and Iceland where the long winter nights provide ample darkness as a backdrop to the waving illuminations. Chile-based photographer Cari Letelier took advantage of Iceland’s position just a few degrees south of the Arctic Circle to capture vibrant images of the auroras as they traversed the skies above waterfalls, icy expanses, and the Arctic Henge.

The northern lights result from enormous solar events in which the sun emits energized particles that slam into Earth’s upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million miles per hour. Earth’s protective magnetic field redirects the particles toward the poles in a process that produces spectacular light shows. Letelier had been to Iceland once in 2019, but didn’t have much luck finding the phenomena, sharing that when she reached the Arctic Henge, “it was so cloudy and snowing, I told myself, ‘I have to come back and catch this place with the aurora.'”

This time, when she and a fellow photographer learned that there would be a solar flare that was likely to produce a spectacle, they made the seven-hour journey from the southern part of the island in search of sightings and captured some incredible images. “I had to make a decision whether to take the photo or to enjoy the show making mental captures,” she says. “As I wanted to make both, I set my camera to shoot photos for a timelapse while I was watching at the sky.”

Find more of Letelier’s work on her website and Instagram.

 

 

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Vivid Photographs by Cari Letelier Follow the Aurora Borealis Across Iceland’s Night Sky appeared first on Colossal.

from Colossal https://ift.tt/tHiR7rN
via IFTTT

Duct Tape and Dreams: The Wild History of SFMOMA’s Famous Soapbox Derby

Art can have many purposes—to be beautiful, to teach, to make us feel—but sometimes, art is just for fun. Such is the case for SFMOMA’s Soapbox Derby, a raucously creative race that sent dozens of artist-designed cars barreling through the streets of San Francisco in 1975, 1978, and again last April.

The idea originated with Bay Area sculptor Fletcher Benton (1931-2019) back in the 70s when he proposed that the museum commission a competition to make art fun and accessible to the public and to provide local artists with funding. SFMOMA agreed to the project, and more than 90 artists were tasked with designing racers and trophies. Rules stipulated that the cars “must coast, that they must not exceed the dimensions of six feet in width and seventeen feet in length, (and) that the vehicle contains an adequate steering and braking system.” Plus, the works should be cost-effective, and the museum offered $100 per car and $35 for trophies.

Thousands of viewers lined the 800-foot winding slope of McLaren Park’s Shelley Drive to watch artists like Ruth Asawa, Carlos Vila, and the collective known as Ant Farm compete. Racers were varied in subject matter and material and included vehicles shaped like bananas, sneakers, enormous hands, and a yellow No. 2 pencil, the latter of which was built by Richard Shaw, the winner in the “Fastest Looking” category of the legendary 1975 competition and the only alum in the 2022 revival.

 

Shaw features in “Duct Tape and Dreams,” a short documentary produced by SFMOMA and Stink Studios about last year’s event that follows artists as they construct their cars and sail down the hill. After studio visits and glimpses into the construction processes, race day is a riotous, high-energy event that sees a range of mishaps and successful descents for designs like Windy Chien’s rope dome (previously), a googly-eyed backhoe by Girl’s Garage and “Succulent Sally,” a car covered in native plants made by a team of the city’s gardeners.

Capturing the streets lined with spectators, the documentary is a reminder of what life was like before digital connection became ubiquitous and that art can be both playful and foster meaningful connection. “Art is not just in a white cube,” writes Tomoko Kanamitsu about the derby. “It can be a car made of bread that disintegrates halfway down a hill on Shelley Drive. Art can be anywhere and everywhere.”

SFMOMA hasn’t yet announced plans to host another iteration, but you can brush up on your derby history by watching “Duct Tape and Dreams” and diving into the photo archive in the meantime.

 

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member today and support independent arts publishing for as little as $5 per month. The article Duct Tape and Dreams: The Wild History of SFMOMA’s Famous Soapbox Derby appeared first on Colossal.

from Colossal https://ift.tt/2LBit4X
via IFTTT