Opening (S)KINS OF THE SEA

Seaweed is a crucial part of the sea, nourishing the water while also providing a habitat for underwater life. When we think billions of years back, the sea was the starting point of life on Earth. Early cells formed alliances with photosynthesizing organisms that later became algae. Without the evolution of algae, neither breathable air nor humans would exist.
In (s)kins of the sea, Linda Zimmermann uses this allegory to process algae into a ceramic glaze, a skin for ceramics. Together with Limu Cosmetics, she presents how she weaved the material research into her artistic practice. This research was developed in collaboration with Limu Cosmetics, who are currently engineering a seaweed-based sunscreen that not only protects human skin, but also remains non-toxic to marine life, allowing the material to serve both people and the ecosystems it originates from. These material research projects are part of the STARTS EU initiative, which aims to connect science, art, and technology.