Dr. Fiona Bell: Designing Regenerative Bio-Digital Futures

Join us to hear about Dr. Bell's unique multidisciplinary practice exploring bio-materials.

Fiona Bell is a researcher, biodesigner, technologist, and Assistant Professor of Human-Centered Computing at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, directing the Entangled Ecologies Lab. Her eggshell sculptures are featured in "Solarpunk" open at the crow's nest from April 11-May 14.

In light of current environmental crises, Dr. Bell's work aims to build deeper relationships between humans, computers, and biological systems. The resulting bio-digital technologies are unique in that they integrate biomaterials—materials grown and derived from biological sources that biodegrade naturally in the environment—as functional design elements. She will discuss several biomaterials that she often works with, including: microbial dyes derived from her own microbiome that she implements as personalized, responsive, living interfaces; symbiotic cultures of bacteria and yeast grown from kombucha that she utilizes for biodegradable electronics and wearables; and 3D printable bio-pastes made primarily from local eggshell waste that she developed for digital fabrication. She not only uses these biomaterial examples as seeds that highlight where bio-digital technologies can grow in the future, but also presents her broader vision for designing regenerative futures; radically sustainable futures in which ecological, sociocultural, and technological systems deeply entangle to foster planetary regeneration and flourishing.

The gallery will be open starting at 1PM on the 2nd. Consider arriving early to see the rest of the exhibit before enjoying the talk!