AKK

Knitted Mycelium

> Mycelium and Textile

Material: textile, mycelium
Technique: knitting
Shaping: by textile construction, stretching

Detail: Study Material- Conttruction based. Berlin, 2022
Exhibited: DDW 2022, Yksi Expo “Rethinking Plastic2022”
https://ddw.nl/en/programme/8824/solidified-textiles

About:
The project explores the transformation of solidifying materials into three-dimensional textile objects. Hybrid yarns of fabric and materials such as mycelium are processed through various textile construction techniques into objects that challenge the boundaries of conventional textiles.

Detaill:
Transforming Materials into Textiles
For the development of three-dimensional structures, the designer uses a method that allows her to process different materials into a yarn, which is then processed in the next step using textile construction techniques.
The combination of material and construction allows to solidify textile movements.

Knitted Mycelium
Mycelium is a lightweight but very stable material with other excellent properties.
To grow mycelium it was mixed with organic material. Combined with fabric it was knitted into a three-dimensional shape. To solidify or freeze the design, the mixture was kept under certain circumstances to start the growing process of a stable fungal mesh. The process was stopped by adding heat.

Construction and Design
The design of the objects are inspired by baskets. Traditional techniques such as hexagon weaving were explored to complement familiar textile techniques. The design of the basket provides further functions when turned upside down. Depending on the properties of the material the Solidified Textiles could be scaled-up, to may take on a spatial dimension.

Textile Concrete Structures

> Material Textile Design Study

Combines the characteristic qualities of
concrete with textile materials and different textile
techniques to create large-scale textiles with
solid, load-bearing, free-standing or flexible
properties.

Material: concrete, textile
Technique: knitting, weaving, knotting
Shaping: gravity hanging

Model: Mira Hardt
Detail: KH Berlin Weißensee, 2016

A vast variety of materials surround us on a daily base, becoming commonplace, suggesting we know them. We know the materials characteristics, their usage, range of application, look and feel. We developed certain expectations. What happens when we use these common materials in new ways giving them an entirely new appearance? How will it affect us? Will it spark our curiosity? Trigger Surprise? Or even create uncertainty?

The project „Strukturen aus Betontextil“ (Textile Concrete Structures) is a material study that aims to develop stable structures from combining the flexible and stable qualities of concrete and textiles. The unusual application of the material intends to astonish and irritate the viewers, challenging their perception, and hiding the materials identity until they take a closer look or touch.

Finally, the potential of the composite was demonstrated by the production of four objects: one stool-like weaving, one extensive free-standing knitted texture, one flexible knotted structure and one knitted wall panel.

ANNE-KATHRIN KÜHNER

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Solidified Textiles

Knitted Mycelium

Solidification Studies

Textile Concrete Structures

Knitted Concrete