Object Name: Excavation of Biotunic

Collection: Bioarchive

Date: 2030

Brief Physical Description: Images of biogarment being recovered from a garden in South East London.

ID Number Current: 079

Location Made/Found: England, South East London

Measurements/Dimensions: Remnants measure 35cm x 105cm

Number of Items: 6 images

Subject: Biogarment, Biomaterials, Bacterial Cellulose, DIYBio, Biohacking, Zero Waste, 1st Generation, Cultivation.

Materials: Bacterial Cellulose, Natural dyes, Biosilk thread.

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Content and Subject Information: Remnants of a biogarment believed to have been dug into the ground to biodegrade. Owners who had recently bought the property in the late 2030’s dug up this garment in their garden located in South East London. On finding the garment they brought in a friend who was an archaeologist to discover what the object was. The previous owner was a textile designer, it was discovered that this garment was an early test piece that can be classified as part of a developing DIYbio trend at the time. With a shift in production and materials through the biological revolution during the early 2030’s many designers and craftspeople began working with DIY biofacturing methods in their studios leading up to this period. The previous owner Claire Wood worked from home in a garden studio space. She has been working with Bacteria and yeast to grow new materials for 5 years. This was an early experiment she dug into the ground to test its biodegradability and had forgotten about. It is an early example of garment pattern pieces being grown to size from biomaterials. Claire kindly donated the garment to the archive. These photographs are a record taken by the archaeologist David Chapman of the garment being excavated.

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Production Information: Material cultivated and grown in vats shaped to pattern pieces at StudioBIO laboratory from SCOBY and nutrients. Stitched seams.

Techniques Used: Biofacture, dying, pattern cutting and construction.

Rights: Bioarchive. Claire Wood – Garment. David Chapman – photographs.