JORGE COSTA

Rethreading the Surface: Mark-Making Ecologies is part of Holobiont Assemblage, an ongoing series of experimental drawings and small three-dimensional forms developed with paper clay. This body of work explores experimental approaches to using recycled paper, cotton fibers, and thread, transforming these materials into biomorphic structures that evoke the nanoscopic. Through these investigations, I seek to reflect the intricate complexity and interdependence of symbiotic relationships, employing material processes that resonate with the layered, dynamic systems inherent in microbiology.

In the context of climate change, the use of sustainable and recycled materials has become not only an aesthetic choice but an act of ecological responsibility. By reimagining waste materials as transformative materials, this work emphasizes the necessity of reducing our reliance on raw resources and minimizing environmental impact. Paper clay, born from discarded fibers and water, embodies a circular approach to making, one that mirrors ecological processes of renewal and decay. In adopting such materials, I intend to reflect the interconnectedness of human and nonhuman systems, advocating for creative practices that sustain both artistic inquiry and the health of the planet we share.

BOSKEIN PHARMAKON

Solar-powered hydroponic system designed to foster long-term health and wellness through plant cultivation. This system efficiently collects rainwater and features a built-in passive solar heating design, allowing it to function year-round with minimal maintenance. Such design economy enables growers to focus intimately on each plant, optimizing growth and maximizing nutritional value.

With consistent use, the greenhouse and hydroponic system transform into a permanent, self-sustaining grow space, essentially an automaton living pharmacy. Users gain access to a diverse array of plants, enhancing their daily meals with nutrient-rich, home-grown ingredients, thereby supporting both physical health and overall well-being.

HOLOBIONT ASSEMBLAGE

I began experimenting with paper clay sheets during the COVID-19 pandemic while exploring different materials, processes, and surfaces. I gravitated toward materials that are accessible, reusable or recyclable, and inexpensive. As I tested various paper clay recipes, surface consistencies, and forms, I discovered that the mixtures I returned to most often could be endlessly investigated. Adjusting even a single ingredient produced noticeable variations; changes in consistency, color, and water absorption.

The type of paper used (paper bags, cardboard, toilet paper, egg cartons, etc.) also dramatically affected the results. Each material carries its own physical properties that, when combined, generate distinct textures and visual experiences. Some sheets dry into rigid, less absorbent surfaces, while others remain softer and readily soak up media.

I also observed how individual sheets often shifted from a flat plane into a subtle curve as they dried. This curvature, shaped by factors such as sheet thickness, paper type, and drying method (fans, blow dryers, sunlight, or combinations thereof), began to activate the viewer’s space and adjust their plane of vision. I learned that the kind of mark-making possible on each sheet was directly tied to these material conditions.

My interest in drawing biomorphic forms stems from research in microbiology, especially the work of evolutionary biologist Lynn Margulis, whose theory of “symbiosis in evolution” reshaped our understanding of genomic development. I am fascinated by the interdependence of bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. Holobiont Assemblage is an experimental drawing in progress that references these intertwined life forms and imagines them as an ecological unit.