Anett Papp is a Hungarian artist working at the intersection of biodesign, textile innovation, and sustainability to create eco-friendly textiles in collaboration with nature.
My approach aims to bridge the natural world with the world of design, introducing new ecological solutions for the textile industry – the artist explains.
The Naturing Project
Naturing is a groundbreaking project blending nature and design. It delves into the complexity of textile creation, examining the nano, micro, and macro characteristics of materials. Using the natural growth of plant roots, such as wheatgrass, it forms a continuous surface—a “root textile.”
The project was showcased during the Dubai Design Week 2024 in November. For this event, the production process lasted about two weeks. Wheatgrass seeds were planted in molds to grow, then transported to the exhibition site, where the material was further aged. At the end of the event, the material was composted locally to ensure its natural lifecycle.
The research investigates nature as both a material and a concept, creating textiles collaboratively with the natural world. Months of cultivating, harvesting, and processing plant fibers are replaced by weeks of laboratory-based textile growth.
Exploring the Vision Behind Naturing
The goals of Naturing include:
-Creating soft yet structural textiles
– Developing a compostable process for textiles
– Establishing a protocol that encourages self-expression
We asked Anett a few questions to better understand the project and her approach:
Does Naturing currently work only with wheatgrass, or have you explored other plants?
Naturing primarily uses wheatgrass at this stage due to its fast growth, resilience, and structural properties, which are ideal for demonstrating the principles of the project. However, the concept is not limited to wheatgrass. I have started experimenting with other plants to explore their potential as co-creators in the process, focusing on their unique textures, growth patterns, and biodegradability. Each plant brings a new layer of complexity and possibility to the work, opening doors to diverse applications.
Can you share more details about the process?
The process starts by preparing a growth template and planting seeds in a nutrient-rich medium. The growth phase usually spans a few weeks, during which controlled environmental conditions such as lighting and ventilation are carefully maintained. Once the growth is complete, the panel is harvested and ready for display. Regarding decomposition, when composted locally under optimal conditions, the material typically breaks down fully within a few weeks to a few months. Factors like temperature and humidity play a key role in this process. This rapid decomposition highlights the project’s commitment to sustainability and the natural cycles it seeks to emulate.
My primary interest lies in creating a self-sustaining, fabric-like structure grown entirely from plants. This has been the biggest challenge of the project, but reaching this stage has unlocked countless possibilities. Depending on the intended use or project requirements, various factors in the process can be adjusted, paving the way for experiments tailored to numerous applications. This adaptability is what makes the process so exciting—it’s a continuous exploration of how natural systems can align with design to meet diverse needs.
Do you envision Naturing as primarily artistic and decorative, like installations and temporary sculptures, or could it become a functional textile with a lifespan?
While Naturing originated as an artistic exploration, it has the potential to evolve into functional textiles. Currently, it serves as a medium for installations and temporary sculptures, emphasizing material circularity and the relationship between nature and design. In the future, I envision it could become a functional textile with a specific lifespan, especially for applications that align with its biodegradable nature, such as temporary coverings, event decorations, interior design or even specialized ecological uses. The adaptability of the process allows for both artistic and practical applications, making it a versatile concept.
For more about Naturing and Anett Papp’s work, visit her website and don’t forget to follow her on Instagram!
