Urchin Corals and Process

Background: My work explores biomimetic- and biomaterials for Additive manufacturing and learning from geometries and materials in nature. Designers and researchers, such as The Mediated Matter Group at MIT, led by Prof. Neri Oxman, have also been exploring the relationship of natural and man-made materials and environments. My work differs by focusing in the more-than-human and nonhuman- centred design approaches. Designer Alex Goad’s work is similar in the approach and designing for underwater environments, however, using conventional materials. The emerging more-than-human approaches have been articulated in the 2020 publication More-than-Human and by authors such as Laura Forlano and Cristoph D.D Rupprecht. Additionally, I am among the small number of designers who are finding innovative ways to contribute to ocean literacy and marine conservation. Contribution: The installation has an emphasis in Advanced and Additive manufacturing, showcasing material development process, underwater photogrammetry and 3D printing of complex geometries. Elements created for this exhibition in 2021 include: material samples made from biopolymers, Calcium Carbonate, sea urchin shell powder, sea urchin pigment and natural wax; an animation of creating underwater photogrammetry models; and corals, printed using the photogrammetry and biopolymer materials. The materials in the installation are all part of the Reef Restoration and Adaptation Program for the Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest effort to restore an ecosystem, where I am a collaborator since early 2020. The installation also includes the work previously shown in the NGV 2020 Triennial. Two underwater films and 3D printed corals. Significance: The NGV describes the exhibition as selection of Australia’s leading experimental and speculative designers, focusing how design can help us imagine the future. The exhibition has been featured in the Australian Financial Review and Australian Design Review among others.