Xylinum Cones 2013, October, with Stefan Schwabe for Science Gallery/Dublin

Xylinum Cones presents a production line which uses living organisms to grow geometrical objects. The approach is part of a research project which uses bacteria cellulose to explore our perception of new biotechnological materials through research and material development. Within a growth period of three weeks each cellulose cone is ripening in a suspended mould. Hereafter different material properties can be added through simple chemical procceses-the result is added to a sculptural assembly. The shape of the single cones as well as the way they are assembled is inspired by natural patterns of regularity, such as reptile scales or flower seeds. Similar but not the same, each single part is following a defined system. In analogy we can find related adoptions being applied in architecture, such as roof tiles or clapboards. The main motivation of the Xylinum Cones is to proof such a reproducibility of organically grown objects on one side, but to find a balanced level of geometric precision and organic diversity on the other side. There are DIN norms for nuts and bolts, but does it make sense to apply such norms to potatoes or apples? In order to culturally implement such new manufacturing routines into our daily lives, the aim of the project is to create a transparent production cycle and tangible objects which allow to build on a relationship with a new and culturally unloaded material.

Stefan Schwabe
Science Gallery

Print Project