Bangalore / Hampi Lab
Silk
the design potential of silk. Participating artists will be mentored by artist Yashas Shetty, (India).
About the Lab
The Bangalore node explores two interconnected research directions that investigate the untapped design potential of biological fibres.
Silk Origami builds on Karnataka's position as the source of nearly 70% of India's silk. Inspired by the idea that silk structures could unfold like solar panels in space, the project explores directing silkworms to spin onto bio printed scaffolds embedded with folding geometries. Using cellulose and lignin derived from agricultural waste, the scaffolds will be developed with altM, fabricated at ArtScienceBLR, and tested in collaboration with the Central Silk Board, IISc, and NCBS to examine whether the resulting silk can retain, fold, and deploy these programmed forms.
Static Electricity as a Biological Phenomenon investigates the inherent electrostatic properties of biological fibres—qualities often overlooked in industrial production. Working with silk and collaborating with IISc and NCBS, the project aims to create instruments and environments that make these invisible electrical properties tangible through sensory experiences.
Together, both research threads ask a shared question: How can the living properties of biological fibres become active materials for design?