Material properties
In this assignment I've asked my roommate Djordi to assist me.
From each bioplastic I made, I asked questions according to the MA2E4 toolkit worksheet that Djordi answered.
Here is the video where Djordi is discovering every piece of bioplastic. The video is in Dutch.
Agar Agar
Performative level
Watch the video above from 00:00 - 00:35.
Sensorial level
Property | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Property |
Soft | x | Hard | ||||
Smooth | x | Rough | ||||
Glossy | x | Matte | ||||
Reflective | x | Non-reflective | ||||
Cold | x | Warm | ||||
Non-elastic | x | Elastic | ||||
Opaque | x | Transparent | ||||
Weak | x | Strong | ||||
Light | x | Heavy |
Interpretive level
Djordi describes this as a jar of hair gel that is very old.
Meanings of the material:
Calm
Aloof
Vulgar
Frivolous
Futuristic
Feminine
Strange
Not sexy
Professional
Hand-crafted
Affective level
Frustration
Boredom
Disappointment
Reluctance
Confusion
Rejection
Disgust
Curiosity
Distrust
Doubt
Agar Agar with coffee
Performative level
Watch the video above from 00:36 - 01:25.
Sensorial level
Property | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Property |
Soft | x | Hard | ||||
Smooth | x | Rough | ||||
Glossy | x | Matte | ||||
Reflective | x | Non-reflective | ||||
Cold | x | Warm | ||||
Non-elastic | x | Elastic | ||||
Opaque | x | Transparent | ||||
Weak | x | Strong | ||||
Light | x | Heavy |
Interpretive level
Shoe polish
Licorice colored
Coffee
Meanings of the material:
Calm
Aloof
Vulgar
Sober
Nostalgic
Masculine
Strange
Not sexy
Professional
Manufactured
Affective level
Frustration
Boredom
Surprise
Reluctance
Confusion
Rejection
Disgust
Melancholy
Distrust
Doubt
Agar Agar Foam
Performative level
Watch the video above from 01:25 - 01:51.
Sensorial level
Property | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Property |
Soft | x | Hard | ||||
Smooth | x | Rough | ||||
Glossy | x | Matte | ||||
Reflective | x | Non-reflective | ||||
Cold | x | Warm | ||||
Non-elastic | x | Elastic | ||||
Opaque | x | Transparent | ||||
Weak | x | Strong | ||||
Light | x | Heavy |
Interpretive level
Old
Soap
Candle wax
Meanings of the material:
Calm
Cosy
Elegant
Frivolous
Nostalgic
Feminine
Ordinary
Toy-like
Natural
Hand-crafted
Affective level
Love
Amusement
Surprise
Confidence
Enchantment
Respect
Attraction
Curiosity
Fascination
Comfort
Agar Agar with oath cereals
Performative level
Watch the video above from 01:51 - end.
Sensorial level
Property | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | Property |
Soft | x | Hard | ||||
Smooth | x | Rough | ||||
Glossy | x | Matte | ||||
Reflective | x | Non-reflective | ||||
Cold | x | Warm | ||||
Non-elastic | x | Elastic | ||||
Opaque | x | Transparent | ||||
Weak | x | Strong | ||||
Light | x | Heavy |
Interpretive level
Chocolate
Nuts
Cookies, "kletskoppen" in Dutch
Meanings of the material:
Aggressive
Aloof
Elegant
Frivolous
Nostalgic
Masculine
Strange
Not sexy
Professional
Manufactured
Affective level
Love
Amusement
Disappointment
Reluctance
Confusion
Respect
Disgust
Melancholy
Distrust
Doubt
Technical properties
I tested the technical properties with two of the bioplastics I've made.
Agar Agar with chili powder
Fire resistance: No / It burns easily
UV resistance: Poor / Exposing it to the sun makes it dry
Weather resistance: Poor / Putting it in a glass of water makes it losing its color
Scratch resistance: No / Easy to tear up
Weight: Light
Chemical resistance: Unknown / Not able to test this
Renewable: No
Agar Agar Foam
Fire resistance: Moderate / First it melts and after a few seconds it burns
UV resistance: Poor / Exposing it to the sun makes it dry and shrinks a lot
Weather resistance: Poor / Putting it in a glass of water makes it transparent. After touching it the soap comes off
Scratch resistance: No / Easy to tear up
Weight: Medium for its size
Chemical resistance: Unknown / Not able to test this
Renewable: Yes / Can be melted
Future application
By playing a little with the Gelatine Foam I've made I discoverd that i can press it/squeeze it with whole my weight.
My fingers moved a bit from side to side while pressing and i got an idea for an application.
You could create a balance cushion for working out. Especially if you are doing an exercise where you have to stand on one leg and your whole weight is on the cushion it is hard to keep balance. This would be a better application than my current balance cushion.
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