Olivia Zheng, Architectural Design and Fiber , 2025
Project Overview
Bacteria cellulose is an incredibly flexible material that can be grown to various thicknesses and textures and dyed a slew of different colors. I want to explore dyeing material cellulose using natural dye materials. Black beans will allow me to accelerated the drying process and also dye the pellicle with a wide range of possibility of colors.
Process
Grow cellulose in varies size until thickness reach about 0.5cm.
Wash and soak the pellicles multiple time.
Lay a pellicle on and wooden board(wooden board helps to absorb moistures).
Add some black beans on top of the pellicle and lay a second pellicle on top of black bean.
Let it dry, while drying flipping the pellicle sandwich carefully to even the drying process.
Using your fingers to press the pellicles and message out any air bubbles.
After Dried, cut out the shape you want ant use leather hole puncher to create holes.
If needed, use vinegar solution to alter the color of final product and redry the pellicle.
Finally, assemble Jumper rings, hooks and pellicles.
