Tali
"algae" in Breton language
(on-going)

They grow abundantly below the keel of my ship when moored in North-Atlantic waters and only show their crown at low-tide: large forests of seaweed. Generating oxygen and absorbing carbon, they make a positive impact on our habitat.

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As a designer/maker during a climate emergency, I am urged to change my approach. Instead of using a finished yarn as starting point, I am now turning to nature itself. For a better understanding of where materials come from, my surroundings - their environmental and social aspects - and its needs to pick up on as a maker. 

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Therefore, using seaweed as a starting point is a deliberate choice. There is a significant seaweed resource in these cold waters, which when harvested (and done sustainably), they are regenerative as they are part of some of the fastest-growing organisms on the planet. They play a critical role in the Atlantic, so it is important to understand its distribution and survival before proceeding. 

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During this research, I look into its characteristics and capabilities as a material for textiles, harvested by hand during low-tide or freediving shallow waters. My approach is to only harvest what I need and can process. Leftovers are used in edible experiments with guests on board.

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More coming soon.