Larnaka BioDesign Festival 2023 included three very important parts:
- The building of a mycelium (mushroom tissue) pavilion in Zouhouri Square. The pavilion served as a symbol of innovation and sustainability, as well as a stand-alone artwork benchmark for the festival. This pavilion was built especially for the Larnaka BioDesign Festival by Dutch architect Stijn Dries and bioscientist Ivana Mik based on the structural paradigm of the prehistoric settlement of Choirokoitia. It is worth noting that the world's first mycelium pavilion was built in 2014 as a commission from the Museum of Modern Art New York (MOMA). Informatively the mycelium is a network of mycelial filaments that grows mainly under the soil. The fact that it can and does grow in a three-dimensional structure, makes it an attractive material for designers and architects.
- An exhibition, with the title "BioSculpt: Co-Creating the Future", with works by internationally recognized designers and artists in the field of biodesign who put into practice the process of co-creation with the natural environment. The artists' innovative design and the resilient living materials they use, invite us to reflect on the sustainability of the planet and to start showing due care to its fragile ecosystems. The participants were: Julia Lohman, Aleksey Manukyan, Shushanik Droshakiryan, Marjan Van Aubel, Shahar Livne, Design Museum Holon, Elina Hatzinikola. The exhibition took place from 27/10 to 12/11 at the Larnaca 2030 exhibition space in Zouhuri Square.
- A lecture by a BioDesign expert, William Myers, who talked about the coupling of design technology and biology. The lecture took place in the Living Room: Larnaca Biennale (in St. Lazarus Square).
- WORKSHOPS
Two interactive workshops on biodesign and sustainable use of materials.
«Living Textiles: Co-Creating with Seaweed» by Shushanik Droshakiryan
A three-day workshop focusing on the use of algae as biological building material (biomaterials). The workshop redefined our relationship with nature and explored how we use materials for our everyday needs.
Let’s paint “Natural Colours” by Youth Makerspace Larnaka
We learned how to derive bio-colorants from natural sources such as flowers, soil and fruit and how to create our own watercolours.
