A love Story

A Love Story

We and Japanese knotweed are not finished yet. 7 years of ups and down and open-ended collaboration with a diversity of researchers, artists, policy makers, businesses, citizens, students and many believers and critical thinkers. We wanted to crack the code for a local and circular production of a variety of local products based on Japanese knotweed. Geert Heyneman started with making Ginderella, a local gin based on weeds, including her. Henri Goeminne used paper press techniques to make the first baked knotplex plate. Along the way, the EU policy on maintenance and extinction of exotic species like her changed dramatically from a very strict extermination approach to a more tolerant path. 

Although different EU countries are treating you in many different manners...

You sprouted from a resource to an active player in our work. Together, we grew stronger in our belief in a systemic approach. Together with designer-trainee Remy Marlhioud you developed over 100 samples of knotplex with different parameters so now we can make material based on the needs of the designer who wants to use them in creations. This obviously gives you an active role in the production process. Isa Mutsaerts, together with Jarne Fiers, Rosan Pille and Stef Mathys improved the standard recipe for a knotplex, so now we know what parameters we can change to make knotplex with specific characteristics for specific use. This obviously gives you an active role in the production process.

Together, we bundled our stories in a spatial demo production lab for systemic innovation based on the strengths of bio and social economy translated in space by Paul De Braeckeleer and honouring Lisa Ma who introduced us, back in 2014.

It's true, your voice is more clear now. With a powerful critical audio-note of Wendy van Weynsberghe and Lies van Assche as an interactive installation made from the first Knottex cords made by Helena De Smet, you surely show the inner complexity of cultural bias. Thanks to the visual note of Kristof Vrancken you came back to life indoors showing all your power.

Our next journey is setting up a Knotfactory in collaboration with Mariasteen vzw and De Kringwinkel Antwerpen guided by Marieke Maertens and supported by VLAIO. 

Your roots will not only destroy, but will also connect and heal a broken system. We are blessed and grateful to go on this journey with you and discover our need for de-learning and believe in nature.

With Love,

Timelab