As part of the new DIYBio network in the Nordic and Baltic region the Bioartsociety organizes the network kickoff with a workshop by Andrew Gryf Paterson from 29th to 31st of August at TEMPORARY in Helsinki. The workshop is also a partner event with the Arts in the Environment Nordic Symposium taking place from August 31 – September 2, 2017 at various venues across Helsinki.
A Series of Copper-Kimchi (김치) / Cu(I)O/C6H10CuO6 Portraits in the Bio-Commons Landscape:
Andrew writes about the workshop: "I started Copper-Kimchi combination experiments at the end of 2015, start of 2016, within the context of the Ferment Lab Taipei/Helsinki project, initiated by Agnieszka Pokyrwka, intuitively bringing together typically unrelated biological, metal-mineral and naturecultural materials–Copper, Felt and fermented vegetables Korean-style to intra-act with each other. Despite my involvement with them, simple biochemical processes such as lacto-oxidisation, adsorbtion, discolourisation, hydration and dehydration took place. These process produced a curious outcome, and gives material and knowledge -inspiration for reflections on contemporary issues in the bio-commons."
This workshop and discussion based events aim to mix practical hands on work to develop social rapport, fermentation and meditative reflections within the newly formed DIYBio network, and give opportunity to connect with current and topical debates in the European Bio-Commons scenes.
The workshop will take place at TEMPORARY, a sandbox for practice-based research into experimental interactive formats in Helsinki and you can sign up for the workshop here.
The DIYBio Network and series of activities are supported by Nordisk Kulturkontakt Short-term Network fund.
Andrew Gryf Paterson (Scotland/Finland/Latvia) is an "Artist-organiser", cultural producer, educator and independent researcher, based since late 2002 in Helsinki, Finland. He specialises in developing and leading inter- and trans- disciplinary projects exploring connections between art, digital culture and science, cultural activism, ecological and sustainability movements, cultural heritage and collaborative networks. What is left behind as social, digital, material and ephemeral residue of 'being t/here' has been a consistent concern. He has been closely connected to Pixelache Helsinki for over12 years, a member of Bioartsociety since 2011, and is currently completing his Doctoral of Arts thesis at Media dept. of Aalto University ARTS. More or less archived here: http://agryfp.info
Schedule
Evening 29.8: Introductions
18.00-20.00 : Evening introductions
Introductions between DIYBio Network participants. Update on the bio-commons, politics & ethics debate. Social catchup, chop and salt cabbage to ferment overnight.
Day 30.8.: Practice-led discussions
10.00-12.00: Making Kimchi
Exercise for 1hr making organic Kimchi, the fermented vegetable preserve, a mix of cabbage with other vegetables (e.g. carrot, radish), chilli, sugar, salt, garlic and ginger, portioned according to taste. Note it will not be ready to eat for 4-5 days, so participants will take it away. Potential discussion re: knowledge & cultural commons (growing and fermentation traditions), raw food industry, fairtrade or ecological practices, agricultural commons in developing world context, transcultural & transnational exchange
12.00-13.00: Lunch
13.00-14.30: Making Felt-balls
Exercise for 45mins making hand-rolled/massaged felt balls or liquid soaks, using raw felt-wool, organic soaps, ideally saponins from locally-foraged horsechestnuts if in season. Potential discussion re: biophysical energy commons, nature-based crafts, animal products, saponins
14.30-15.00: Break
15.00-17.00: Making arrangements with Copper
Exercise for 30mins arranging pre-made kimchi on copper items, e.g. copper-tape, other copper made containers or items, as an installation (this could be shown later in ‘Art in Environment’ Nordic symposium/exhibition. Potential discussion re: about metalic commons, and copper-based chemical compounds.
Day 31.8.: Practice-led discussions
10.00-12.00: Making Copper-Oxide or Cupric Lactate inks
Exercise for 1hr making a liquid form out of previously-made-earlier Copper-Kimchi substance that is dried. Over time the kimchi lactic-oxidizes the copper, producing a Copper-Oxide or Cupric Lactate substance, variously blue-green-black in colour. Dissolving and blending matter into a liquid form, straining with gauze the liquid to produce ink that can be used to paint or draw with. Potential discussion re: knowledge & cultural commons (natural and synthetic dyeing traditions), Processed food industry, fairtrade or ecological practices, compound minerals, biochemical commons in developing world context, transcultural & transmaterial exchange.
12.00-13.00: Lunch
13.00-16.00: Making portrait drawings of each other
Exercise for 1.5hrs making portraits of each other and/or lactobacillus (depending on bacterial visualisation technologies available). Potential discussion re: Wrap-up discussion related to Bio- commons, and next actions in the DIYBio network.