Interdisciplinary Encounters 2020

Physicist Fritjof Capra, in The Hidden Connections (2002), explains the foundations of ecodesign. As early as 1981, the American environmental analyst Lester Brown defined a sustainable society as one capable of meeting its needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet theirs. In 1987, the Brundtland Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development adopted the same definition to introduce the concept of sustainable development.

Yet the question remains: How can a sustainable society be built?

The only model available to us is nature itself and the way its ecosystems function, an idea central to biomimicry (Benyus, 2002). In 1997, biologist Janine Benyus began examining the ingenious material-manufacturing systems developed by living organisms, such as the nacre of seashells, the adhesive produced by mussels, and spider silk. These materials exhibit highly sophisticated technical properties, despite being produced under life-supporting conditions and from common chemical substances such as proteins, carbon, calcium, water, and phosphate.

Sugars and proteins are soft polymers that serve both as binding agents and energy reserves in living organisms. They are large three-dimensional molecules composed of chains of amino acids or simple sugars. Nature’s self-assembly processes rely on lock-and-key catalysts known as enzymes, which accelerate biochemical reactions while facilitating synthesis.

Molecules encounter one another and accumulate through their perpetual motion at the microscopic scale, known as Brownian motion. Self-assembly occurs through the interlocking of complementary male and female components, much like Lego pieces. Proteins act as “matrix builders,” assembling structures at room temperature.

In nature, waste is biodegradable and serves as nutrients for other organisms, thereby generating zero waste (Capra, 1996). Ecodesign similarly treats waste as a resource, as explained in Cradle to Cradle by the multidisciplinary partnership of designer William McDonough and chemist Michael Braungart (2002).

Inspired by the equation “Waste = Food,” we create our tableware from proteins and food waste, which contribute distinctive aesthetic and material qualities. Artichoke fibers, for example, provide a particular texture and color while increasing resistance to tearing. The use of non-toxic materials that can be recycled indefinitely enables our tableware to reduce the environmental footprint of events. After use, the items can be remelted and transformed into new tableware, demonstrating the product’s circularity, valorizing waste materials, and avoiding the generation of additional waste.

Our interdisciplinary project, Cyclical_Matters, was conceived and developed by three designers and artists with complementary areas of expertise, with scientific guidance from chemist Yves Gélinas, a member of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Concordia University.

Let us begin with a bit of chemistry. We will combine three ingredients: gelatin, water, and glycerin. Gelatin is obtained through the partial hydrolysis (degradation) of collagen, a protein derived from animal bones and composed of long chains of amino acids. It melts when heated and solidifies when cooled. It is commonly used in cooking as a thickening or gelling agent. Glycerin, meanwhile, is extracted from animal or vegetable fats. Owing to its hygroscopic properties, meaning its ability to absorb moisture, it gives the resulting bioplastic its flexibility and elasticity. The more glycerin is added, the softer and more flexible the material becomes; the less that is used, the harder and more brittle it becomes.

To make four plates approximately 10 cm in diameter (in the photograph, we used a hexagonal silicone mold), you will need the following materials:

Preparation Steps

1. Collect the artichoke leaves after your meal.
2. Boil the leaves for 15 minutes.
3. Dry the leaves, preferably in the sun, as this is the most environmentally friendly option, or use a food dehydrator. Alternatively, dry them in an oven for 1 hour at 100°C (212°F), although this consumes more energy.
4. Grind the dried leaves using a food processor or electric grinder.
5. Store your materials in clearly labeled and dated jars at room temperature.

Assembly Steps

1. Pour the cold artichoke cooking water into the frying pan.
2. Add the glycerin.Gradually add the gelatin, stirring continuously with a whisk to prevent lumps from forming. Heat the mixture until it reaches 95°C (203°F) and begins to simmer gently.
3. Once the gelatin has completely melted, add the ground artichoke fibers.
4. Continue stirring for approximately 3 minutes to ensure the mixture is evenly combined.

Molding and Drying

1. Pour the liquid bioplastic mixture into yogurt lids and/or silicone molds.
2. Allow it to dry for 24 hours.
3. Remove the pieces from the molds and place them between two plates, or in molds of your choice, until completely dry. Full drying may take several days.
4. Check and air the pieces daily to prevent the formation of mold.

In Case of Mold

If mold appears, dip an old toothbrush in white vinegar and gently scrub the affected areas. Then spread a thin layer of vinegar over the surface with your finger and allow the piece to air dry.

This recipe is inspired by a process shared through the open-source platform Materiom, whose mission is to foster international creative collaboration around sustainable materials. We warmly welcome your comments and questions during our upcoming Live Cooking Show, which will take place on October 20 on the platform. Your unexpected discoveries and experiments will help our community accelerate the development of healthy, compostable materials, reducing our dependence on petroleum-based products and helping us avoid leaving lasting traces on both our planet and living organisms.

Have fun! We look forward to seeing your creations 🙂

Benyus, J. M. (2002). Biomimicry : Innovation Inspired by Nature. HarperCollins Publishers Inc.

Capra, F. (1996). The Web of life a new scientific understanding of living systems. Anchor Books.

Capra, F. (2004). The Hidden Connections : A Science for Sustainable Living. Anchor Books.

McDonough, W., & Braungart, M. (2002). Cradle to Cradle : Remaking the way we make things. North point press.

Authors

Vanessa Mardirossian has worked as a textile designer in the fashion industry for more than twenty years and is deeply concerned about its environmental impact. Over the past five years, she has focused on developing more environmentally responsible approaches to dyes and materials. As part of her doctoral research, she develops natural, non-toxic dyes derived from bacteria that feed on food waste. By combining art and science, her work fosters an ecological literacy of design, promoting a deeper understanding of how our forms of production affect ecosystems.

By merging video, performance, and sculpture, Miri Chekhanovich creates installations that bridge notions of decomposition and rebirth. Born in Armenia and having lived in Jerusalem, she now works in Tiohtià:ke / Montréal. The diversity of her cultural background and the many languages she speaks inform her artistic practice by creating imaginative spaces where anything can happen and be transformed. Within these spaces, she invites audiences to become active participants in what she hopes will be a transformative experience.

Alexandra Bachmayer is an interdisciplinary artist and researcher based in Montréal / Tiohtià:ke whose work explores hybrid ecologies through digital media, textiles, and biomaterials. Whether developing haptic performance garments or textile dyes produced by pigment-generating bacteria, her practice is largely centered on themes of empathy, play, connectivity, ephemerality, and materiality. She has worked as a research assistant at XS Labs and matralab, contributing to the field of electronic textiles, and later served as a costume designer and producer for Niemandslandhymnen and Éphémérides, projects presented by the SMCQ (Société de musique contemporaine du Québec).

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