Photosynthetic Human
Synergy between algae and humans: a new synthetic ecosystem
The rising air pollution levels have become especially alarming as they pose one of the major threats to the climate and the well-being of living creatures. Due to humanity’s great contribution to elevated carbon dioxide emissions, the Earth is approaching climate extremes and loss of biodiversity. Being the cause of the problem, it is our responsibility to solve it. One solution could be to use algae in a synthetic ecosystem to turn human bodies into air purifification factories.
Researchers Iza Awad and Raoul Frese at the VU University Artscience Laboratory toyed with this idea after they started looking into vegan leather made from bacterial cellulose derived from kombucha in 2019. Later, they added algae to the cellulose that can convert carbon dioxide into oxygen through photosynthesis. The result is a photosynthetic biological gel that can be applied to the skin, thereby transforming the body into a photosynthetic human.
We show photos of photosynthetic humans at four locations: the laboratory where the photosynthetic gel is created with bacterial cellulose from kombucha. Second, we take you to the Amsterdam Forest, the biotope of algae. Third, we show you Cultcha Kombucha ©, where the bacterial cellulose is manufactured. Finally, we take you to the show where an army of photosynthetic humans was showcased.
Lab
Kombucha fermentation produces slabs of bacterial cellulose which are chemically treated and transformed into a gel. The process is performed in the presence of living algae which allows the gel to photosynthesize. Application to the body creates a photosynthetic human where algae act as the-second-air-purifying skin.
Algae Biotope
Algae used for the photosynthetic gel are naturally found in ponds, lakes and rivers. The Amsterdam Forest contains many green algae which can be used for the gel.
Kombucha factory
To manufacture enough of gel, bacterial cellulose is grown on an industrial site. There, kombucha is produced in large quantities and stored in big containers.
The Show
December 2021 we presented the first human army of photosynthetic humans
Stills Short Film
Together with graduates from the Dutch Film Academy we present our Short Film ‘Photosynthetic Human’
Creator and creative director: Iza Awad | Director Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Artscience laboratory: Raoul Frese | Director Atelier Mellius: Mellius
Book Photosynthetic Human
Director of Photography: Tomiris Nabiyeva | Second Photographer and Assistant Light: Beau Boogaart | Third photographe: Tianbo Duan | Make-up: Shanna Marcus | Hair: Paige Mabel | Model Xiangjun Sun | Set Assistant: Francesco Zaccarian
Show and Short Film
Show Photographer: Jonathan Portugal | Producers: Beau Boogaart and Joyce Cuijpers | Head Cinematographer: Peter Krijgsman | Show Cinematographer: Tonko Bossen | Editor: Coen Hagenaars | Production Sound Recordist: Franco van der Linde | Sound Designer and Composer: Coen Bruins | MUAs: Feeby Venetiën, Jasmin Kulik and Tijn Melsen
Scientific research supported by NWO-NWA IDG grant
Art supported by a diversity grant from the University of Amsterdam FNWI grassroots science4all and de Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam vereniging
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Folia Magazine: ‘An army of photosynthetic humans’
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Vrij Magazine: ‘Building bridges between Art and Science’