Artist Aradhita Parasrampuria has created a collection of pieces utilizing biodegradable algae-based embellishments that transform with their environment, in order to challenge the separation between artificial materials and the biological world.
Plastics are a leading cause of physical pollution introducing durable toxins into our environment. Once in the water, microbeads can have a damaging effect on marine life, the environment, and human health. This is due to their composition, ability to adsorb toxins, and potential to transfer up the marine food chain. These tiny plastics persist in the environment as they are almost impossible to remove.
"As a designer today I have a certain responsibility when it comes to climate change and sustainability. To challenge myself, and my own discipline. I have chosen to work with a new alternative Biomaterial for synthetic plastic." Quote Aradhita.
Algae Bio Embellishment by Aradhita Parasrampuria
The water-resistant, antimicrobial, and self-replenishing embellishment system is achieved by developing beads and sequins using kelp, large brown algae, which is one of the fastest-growing organisms globally. Additionally, kelp can remediate coastal environments as it absorbs nutrients from agricultural and sewage waste. By pouring the biopolymer formula into custom-designed 3D-printed molds, any unnecessary waste within the production process is eliminated.
Algae Bio Embellishment by Aradhita Parasrampuria
Parasrampuria weaves the beads into intricate textiles using a beadwork technique she developed. She also works with a protein isolated from jellyfish to make her beads bioluminescent. She designed this function to encourage people to create a bond with the material and help consumers see the beads as living, breathing organisms that must be preserved and cared for instead of used and disposed of. The beads are dyed using non-toxic microbial pigments.
The embellishments react with sunlight to change color or glow in the dark, creating an interactive experience for the user.
The making process of the beads and the final look of this piece of Bio Embellishment.
The embellishment industry relies on petroleum plastic and synthetic resins to create beaded products, leading to waste and microplastics. Parasrampuria’s aim is to create circular design systems that utilize renewable resources. Algae beads offer a viable solution as they are biodegradable and non-toxic. With materials like these, a future where the textile and fashion industry operates in a closed-loop product life cycle could potentially become a reality.
Sculptures made with biodegradable kelp beads.
About Aradhita Parasrampuria
Aradhita Parasrampuria is a textile and sustainable materials designer originally from India, based in New York. Aradhita combines synthetic biology with fashion to create climate-conscious, ethical, and affordable textiles in an effort to replace toxic petroleum-based materials. She works primarily with organisms such as Algae, Escherichia coli, and Mycelium.
She is the recipient of the Swarovski and United Nations “Creatives For Our Future” grant and Aronson Fellowship from Tishman Environment and Design Center. Her work has been featured in COP27, Vogue, L'officiel Brazil, CFDA, No-Kill Magazine, New York Design Week, Mana Contemporary, and Talking Textiles.