Ella Bratić

The next experiment features waste threads that I hand-colored and fixed with wood glue. The goal was to crochet tablecloths, which are a staple of traditional Bosnian craftsmanship. These tablecloths are often passed down through generations, representing a deep cultural connection to craftsmanship and domestic art. The process was time-consuming, taking many hours to complete, as the threads traditionally used for these pieces are incredibly fine and delicate. The combination of thread and wood glue allowed me to investigate the transformation of everyday materials into objects of cultural significance.

Biocit

Water, starch, gelatin, glycerol, and bihacit dust were the key ingredients used to create a new material I named biocit. The name was derived from the fusion of two terms: bioplastic and bihacit. The core principles of this phase were recycling and biodegradability. The “waste” generated during the shaping of bihacit (bihacit dust) became the primary building component of biocit. Experiments with the dust resulted in an interesting combination of color and texture. Some of the modules were treated like ceramics. To protect the models, I “glazed” them with pure gelatin, creating a glass-like effect on the surface. The ratio of ingredients was determined intuitively, based on past experiences (and mistakes), adjusting the quantities as needed before applying the mixture to various surfaces. While many experiments were unsuccessful, each failure contributed to a deeper understanding of the material—its creation and drying process. Gelatin, along with glycerol, is a crucial component of this bioplastic. The biggest challenge was drying the gelatin without causing the edges to curl. I explored several solutions to this issue, including applying fresh layers of the mixture onto already dried models and using textile materials as a base for the application.

"uni"

2022-2024