Cooking and Culturing Colours: A Workshop by Vanessa Mardirossian and Alexandra Bachmayer
March 15, 22, 29, & 31, 2022
On March 15th, 22nd, 29th, & 31st, Vanessa Mardirossian and Alexandra Bachmayer facilitated the workshop series ‘Cooking and Culturing Colours’ where they created compostable dyes from food waste and bacteria.
In this four-part hybrid workshop, Vanessa and Alexandra led participants in the creation of dyes extracted from food waste and derived from bacteria. Through this creation process, they explored and discussed themes of sustainability, minimal waste and re-use, and the environmental impact of their explorations. They introduced participants to basic lab protocols, alternative ‘eco-friendly’ lab methodologies, and adapted techniques for safe ‘at-home’ lab work.
Specifically, participants learned to dye textiles with food waste and with bacteria; and how to modulate colors and grow patterns, through a variety of basic lab techniques including the preparation of a liquid culture, the preparation of agar plates, streaking plates, and the safe use of the bactincinorator and autoclave.
