JORGE COSTA

Rethreading the Surface: Mark-Making Ecologies is part of Holobiont Remnants, 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.

Holobiont Constellation

I began experimenting with paper clay sheets while exploring different materials, processes, and surfaces. I gravitated toward materials that are accessible, reusable, recyclable, and readily available.

The type of paper used, paper bags, cardboard, tissue paper, egg cartons, and other reclaimed paper fiber, 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 absorb drawing media.

I also observed how individual sheets often shifted from a flat plane into subtle curves as they dried. This curvature, shaped by factors such as sheet thickness, paper type, and drying methods, including fans, blow dryers, sunlight, or combinations of these, began to activate the viewer's space and alter their plane of vision. Each sheet suggested its own possibilities for mark-making, guided by its unique material characteristics.

My interest in drawing biomorphic forms stems from research in microbiology, particularly the work of evolutionary biologist Lynn Margulis, whose theory of symbiosis in evolution transformed our understanding of genomic development. I am fascinated by the interdependence of bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. Holobiont Assemblage is an experimental drawing project in progress that references these interconnected life forms and imagines them as a single ecological assemblage.