Green Algae ( Spirulina )Extracting pigments from the cells.

In contrast to synthetic and natural, biocolor is completely renewable, it consumes low energy and resources to be produce, low amount of water consumption, low toxicity and pollution.

I enjoyed the experience, making screen printing in textile by using green algae powder, it was fascinating. We mixed the powder just with water to make the perfect ink, then we applied in the textile. The workshop was directed by Maria Boto at Elisava Laboratory.

I had used to take spirulina every morning in my milkshake and I couldn’t imagine that the algae can work for other purpose like natural pigments. As biocolor is directly influenced by light, it changes its tone.
Called a dynamic color because the chlorophyll pigment oxidated when it is exposed to the Sun and changes from green to blue then yellowish and then it degradates just in one hour and a half.

The material is available to grow algae at home because it exists a variety of biobanks online were we can get it. The advantages of this bacteria are that grows super fast even in waste water and have the capability to capture CO2 while growing.

Nowadays is investigating the way to print digital with natural inks like algae. We are changing the way we produce things, Can we use design to bridge the words culture, science and the industry?

Catalunya, Spain.