[WORKSHOP] Organisms in Material Production - by Lara Campos
image: micrograph of the surface of the Scoby mushroom, cc by Yuliya prof
It’s time to bring some more life to our biomaterial lab!
Join us for a unique, hands-on workshop exploring how to perceive materials as more than passive entities— led by designer and material researcher Lara Campos.
Overview
In this workshop, we’ll explore scoby – the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast used in kombucha brewing – a waste stream that can be activated as a powerful binder for biobased materials.
Together with Lara Campos, we’ll dive into new, eco-centric approaches to material making, grounded in ethical thinking/reflection.
What to Expect?
- Introduction to scoby and its role in biodesign
- Exploration of local and seasonal materials
- Hands-on experimentation with 2 different bio-material samples
- Insights into the ethics of working with living organisms in design
Lara will share her own framework for responsible, multi-species design — developed through years of research and creative practice.
About Lara Campos
Material researcher, transdisciplinary artist and educator driven by curiosity, processes, and the exploration of the territory. Actual artist in residence at Hangar, part of S-Biotica's materials research lab, external collaborator of FabLab Barcelona on educational projects, and founder of the Waste Warehouse project.
'My practice explores materials, waste flows, living beings, regenerative ontologies and multispecies ideologies. I research bodies, analog processes and concepts that ferment my approach at the margins of art and science. I focus on the creation of materials with natural elements, exploring materiality as a living and active entity, reflecting on the scale of observation and the interaction between body and matter. I seek to continue researching and experimenting ways of sharing processes, generating situated and critical methodological tools to broaden the perspective of what we consider matter, waste, ecology, extractivism and community, and fostering shared practices of care'.
Practical Info
- Date: June 7, 2025
- Time: 14:00-18:00
- Location: Critical Biomass Lab at Timelab, Kogelstraat 34, 9000 Ghent
- Registration: required (max. 20 spots available)
- Fee: €100 (incl VAT and materials)
- Language: English
Who is it for ?
Professionals and anyone who is interested in working with biomaterial in design. Knowledge of biochemical, industrial processes of design and production methods will come in handy, but is not a must.
Sign up
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Critical Biomass
This event is part of our public program, shaped by the ongoing journey of Critical Biomass. Curious to see where it leads next? Come join us for more moments like this!
[WORKSHOP] 7th of June - Living Organisms in Material Production - by Lara Campos
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