December GBS Open Studio: Papermaking with Natural Dyes

Event Description 

Genspace Biomaterials Studio hosts an open studio every month to welcome the community in hands-on exploration of biomaterials. For the month of December we will create handmade paper, incorporating autumn leaves, natural dyes, and living materials such as mushrooms. Using the handmade paper create holiday cards, paper snowflakes, gift tags or anything you desire. No prior experience is required. Food and drink will be provided! 

Basic papermaking supplies will be provided but participants are encouraged to bring additional biomatter such as leaves, dried flowers, and mushrooms to incorporate into your paper. 

About Genspace Biomaterials Studio

We are a community-driven biomaterial research group exploring, creating, and innovating at the intersection of materials, biology, and design. Biomaterials are collaborations between organisms​ synthesized into forms used for art, products, medicine, and construction. We actively cultivate a community of designers, artists, and scientists focused on finding alternative solutions to today’s materials using circular and regenerative systems. 

Meet the Leads

Lily Xiao is a Brooklyn-based sculptor, bioartist, and educator. Xiao crafts an interdisciplinary ecosystem combining biomaterial research, digital fabrication, installation, and olfaction. They attended the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, garnering their first solo exhibition, Faithful Rind. Xiao curated The Space Between Us at Gallery CA, a community exhibition working to decolonize abstraction. Their team at MICA, Mother Nacre, earned the overall prize at the Biodesign Challenge for their queer exploration of biomineralized nacre-like materials. BmoreArt has reviewed their work in curation and sculpture. Xiao is currently a project lead for the Genspace Biomaterials Studio, where they host community biomaterial research and bioart workshops for all experience levels.

Instagram: @xiaolonglili

Brian is an Architect and builder by training. Currently, he supports NYS Affordable Housing decarbonization as a Sustainability Specialist, providing building systems design and material expertise. His work expands across scales from residential construction to furniture to novel material composites. Drawn to Genspace by the opportunity to expand his work with fungi, he focuses on developing new materials for the construction industry and supporting biomaterial education.

Instagram: @bahoustle

Acknowledgments

This project has been developed with support from Anonymous Was A Woman in partnership with The New York Foundation for the Arts. FIELD’s material research has been incubated and refined over five years with support from Genspace. Many thanks to the Genspace Biomaterials Studio, including past and current members Jil Berenblum, Amy Chien, and Brian Houstle, as well as lab manager Serena Wessely and Executive Director Casey Lardner.

About Genspace Biomaterials Studio

We are a community-driven biomaterial research group exploring, creating, and innovating at the intersection of materials, biology, and design. Biomaterials are collaborations between organisms​ synthesized into forms used for art, products, medicine, and construction. We actively cultivate a community of designers, artists, and scientists focused on finding alternative solutions to today’s materials using circular and regenerative systems.