Vegetation, growth, organic shape — nature and its multi-layered aesthetics is often the conceptual basis for my work. I have increasingly focused on abstracted type and form designs in three-dimensional space that borrows its texture and movement from natural origins. To achieve this visual complexity, it is important to detach myself from destructive techniques, in which too many conscious decisions prevent the organic, sometimes positively arbitrary, impression. In my symposium I focus on techniques of procedural motion design and show some applications of my past projects.

Current power sources — even renewable technologies — fail to embed themselves within nature's cycles as they cannot be fully disassembled or recycled; nor are they designed to biodegrade. We build on research from UMASS university, which proposed thin film devices made from nanometre-scale protein nanowires harvested from the microbe Geobacter sulfurreducens. We propose Electric Skin: a compostable material made of calcium alginate composites with silk fibroin, chitosan and glycerin as plasticizer. Thanks to the proteins, this material has yielded a sporadic 0.7 volts on a small cell the size of a fingertip.

Our results demonstrate the potential of a biodegradable (perhabs even compostable) source of energy that could be used to power devices relying simply on ambient humidity. Further research is necessary to scale these results, connect the power cells and explore the range of applications of this biotechnology. Immediate theories include coating for buildings and biomedical devices.

In the future the implications of this research range from the possibility for compostable electronics that bypass the need for heavy metal extraction, biophilic wearable technology, continuous energy harvesting in harsh environments — and more.

Workshop: Botanical art

In this course, join Rommy on a deep-dive into botanical art. Create contemporary pieces using mixed media including pencil drawings, watercolor and acrylic to develop a diverse, beautiful nature-themed sketchbook, before combining your favorites into a multimedia painting. Embrace your creativiy and celebrate your connection to the natural world!

What you will need to bring:

• pencils
• A3 paper
• paint brushes
• if available: watercolour and gouache paints

Workshop: Programmed Landscaping

Processing Beginner Workshop. Let's program our very own responsive & flexible landscape in Processing. Participants will get to know the basics of Processing and immediately start to implement their ideas using some basic geometry. Using variables and some fun math, participants will be able to generade random variants based on their original design.

Creative Coding = Infinite Output!

What you will need to bring:

• your own laptop
• A4 paper

Workshop: Designing with natural ink

This workshop will show participants, how to create ink from natural materials and plant components, easily on their own. Afterwards, participants will discover how to use fresh ink and explore different possibilities to experiment. Natalie as well will show, how to bring some motifs, such as flowers, to paper.

Using those special inks as a tool, participants are free to show their own interpretation of this year's topic, vegetation. The result of the workshop will be one or several distinct pieces of art.

There's nothing you'll have to bring to this workshop.

Workshop: Biomimicry

Sophia Krasomil's workshop explores the concept of biomimicry in the field of graphic design. Biomimicry involves observing and studying nature's tried-and-true problem-solving patterns, followed by the application of these solutions to human inquiries. Nature offers a variety of methods, structures, colors, shapes, and proportions that can be used in graphic design.

During the workshop participants will create poster designs by developing nature-inspired visual tools. For example, this could involve using 3D scans, experimenting with fractal generators, designing alternative camouflage patterns and many other possibilities. The workshop's aim is to establish an environment for explorative poster creation, blending nature-inspired elements with digital instruments.

What you will need to bring:

• your own laptop

Workshop: Find peace and ground yourself (by creating your own artwork)

In this one-day workshop you will learn how to create environmentally friendly and non-toxic paint from soil, ash and coal and how to create your own artwork using it. Escape your hectical everyday life and find peace and composure in this unique workshop that combines art, nature and attentiveness. It doesn't matter if you already have artistic experience or never before have attended painting lessons — this workshop is designed for participants with all experience levels. The main focus is following your intuition, and just painting. Without rules or requirements!

If you need more input, you can check out Sandrine's website.

What you will need to bring:

• a strainer (one from the kitchen will suffice)
• two table spoons
• paper towels or tissues
• a big plate to mix the paint
• a glass
• a small bowl
• if available: a mortar

Workshop: Alternative Process

Inspired by Anna Atkins, one of the first female photographers, who used cyanotype to more accurately create botanical images in books, the participants in this workshop will experiment with cyanotype and using different materials to print their photography on.

They will not only learn of Anna Atkins and her impact, as she contributed to paving the way for women in art and science alike, but also go into nature and search for their own perfect motive. The only thing you'll need, except for a camera, is the will to experiment!

What you will need to bring:

• your own digital camera