Project Three
Do Jellyfish Get Dizzy?
A process-driven body of work experimenting with creating and utilising algae-based bioplastic within an art practice.
“Art and science have so much in common - the process of trial and error, finding something new and innovative, and to experiment and succeed in a breakthrough”. P. Brant
This process-driven body of work started with the question “Do jellyfish get dizzy?”. The resultant research journey established connections between jellyfish, algae, handmade algae-based bioplastics, closed-loop recycling systems and the notion of immortality.
Turritopsis Dohrnii, also known as the immortal jellyfish, can revert to its juvenile state and recommence its life cycle through a process called transdifferentiation. With the application of heat, Algae-based bioplastic can be reverted to its liquid form (perhaps which can be said to be its juvenile state) and new forms can be created through this closed-loop recycling system an indeterminate number of times.
The algae-based bioplastic these works are made from are natural, biodegradable, non-toxic, and there is little waste in utilising this material. Through an iterative process and experimentation, the artist strives to innovatively use this algae-based bioplastic within an arts practice and showcase how it responds to various stimuli and its environment.
-
![]()
Hysteresis | 2022
Of all hydrocolloids, agar has the largest hysteresis between the melting and gelling temperatures. This unique characteristic allows for layering of the algae-based bioplastic to create interesting textures.
-
![]()
Syneresis | 2022
Syneresis occurs when excessive heat is applied to algae-based bioplastic. The heat overhardens the protective shell of protein molecules within agar and causes the shell to break as the moisture contained expands with heat.
-
![]()
Beakers | 2022
Moulds can be used to create algae-based bioplastic forms. Algae-based bioplastic can be made from a simple formula of agar powder, water and glycerine.Agar is a polysaccharide which can be found in some families of red seaweed.
-
![]()
Transference | 2022
Due to the absorbency of algae-based bioplastic certain colour pigments will transfer through layers of the material. Drops of bioplastic coloured with pigment were placed upon a stack of bioplastic sheets and after a period of time the colour transferred through the layers
-
![]()
Hydrophilia | 2022
In testing whether seedlings would grow in algae-based bioplastic pods, it was discovered that due to the strong hydrophilic tendencies of the material, the bioplastic pods reconstituted themselves, imbibing the moisture from the soil and pea sprout, leaving them desiccated.
-
![]()
Graphite | 2022
Algae-based bioplastic can be mixed with mediums such as pigments, ink and graphite to create alternative drawing and painting mediums.
