Designing with the Living is a practice-based research course exploring the design process in collaboration with living organisms.
In the course, we will focus on how to work with other species in your practice. Each student will collaborate with either algae, roots, slime mould, mycelium or scoby.
Through close collaboration with your organism, you will develop an understanding of the possibilities and impossibilities of this living being. In the first phase of the course we will work on creating the right environment for your species and discover (observation) tools and methods (analogue and digital). In the second phase of the course a concept and prototype will be developed from the dynamic relationship between human, technology and living organism.
Designing with the living aims to experiment responsibly and cultivate a respectful collaboration beyond mere utilization of the other.
We encourage you to question your assumptions when engaging with living entities and to reflect on the ethical and experimental aspects of your work. You are encouraged to observe and remain curious, allowing space for unexpected outcomes and experiences.
Course lead: Julia Moser, Noor Stenfert-Kroese, Irene Posch
Course time: March – June 2024, weekly meetings
Selected projects:
I Care
Joana Dirnberger
The Kombucha SCOBY has various qualities, especially the aspects of reproduction and social interaction. The relationship with a non-human species is explored and shared. The integration of the SCOBY into daily life also plays a significant role.
The Art of Algae
Katharina Mayr
Without algae there would be no corals, without algae there would be no lichens, without algae there would be no oxygen. The project documents the shared journey with an unusual organism, the development of new relationships – with the aim of expanding the human view of nature.
Mushroomflowers
Neriman Demir
Flower pots made from mycelium as a sustainable and attractive design option for growing mushrooms and cultivating plants in an ecological cycle: Grow and harvest oyster mushrooms, then use the nourishing structure as a flower pot, the mycelium slowly decomposes and releases nutrients to the plants.
