Algaemy

The huge potential of microalgae has been a subject of research in natural sciences for quite some time. Meanwhile the artistic and creative value of this resource is mostly undiscovered land.

Algaemy is a design-laboratory investigating the potential of microalgae as pigment in textile printing.

Algaemy investigates the potential of microalgae in a creative context. The designers Essi Johanna Glomb (textile design) and Rasa Weber (product design) reveal the aesthetic potential of a resource which is mostly regarded as weeds within Europe.

Algaemy is an analogue textile-printer which produces its own (surprisingly fast-growing) pigment. A wide color palette from different shades of blue, green, brown and even red derives from various species of microalgae.

Microalgae have an incredibly wide range of applications, such as nutrition, energy- and oil production, filtering qualities and even CO2absorption. The machine uses this potential to create an autarkic circle of production, which does not require additional energy or material apart from human power and the microalgae itself.