After the success of the SEA ME project Nienke decided to continu the research on how to use seaweed to create a more sustainable textile industry. With funding of the Stimuleringsfonds Creatieve Industrie she researches how to use seaweed as a sustainable textile dye and how to create a sustainable seaweed yarn.
‘Colors of the Oosterschelde’ was shown on the Dutch Design Week 2015. After collecting over 20 different species of seaweed in the Oosterschelde (a Dutch coastal area) experiments where done. Each specie gives a different color, showing a color palette that reflects this nature reserve. ‘Color of the Oosterschelde’ was a collaboration with Xandra van der Eijk.
Part of the research was a trip to Ireland, where 100.000 kg of seaweed floats a shore every year. This seaweed could potentially be used for the yarn and dye.
Pictures by Hannah Braeken