Biomimicry/Sustainable Art

The Photo on the right shows an extremely close up view of a shark's skin that has been designed to repel algae, bacteria, and other waste. While whales and other sea creatures' skin is littered with these harmful particles, they can rest, but not stay attatched to sharks' skin due to its unique texture. The picture on the left shows a material that has been designed to mimic the texture of shark skin. "Now scientists have printed that pattern on an adhesive film that will repel bacteria pathogens from hospitals and public restrooms" (www.biomimicryinstitute.org). I think this is a really smart idea to use a principle found in nature to help keep clean the two areas that perhaps need it the most. Could this principle be applied to things like clothing? Could it be harmful if used to widespread due to underexposure to bacteria and therefore lower levels of immunity? Whatever the future implications, it is clear that this form of biomimcry will be beneficial to the majority of the population.

http://rj3sp.blogspot.com/2009/01/sharklets-antibacterial-surfaces.html

This photo shows an example of both biomimicry and sustainable design or green architecture. This Building, the MMAA in Qatar, was modeled after a cactus . because Qatar has such a hot dry climate, the building will mimic the cactus' ability to control internal temperature in order to retain water. On a hot day, the building possesses shades that will move out or in depending on the level of heat and sun, in order to keep the temperature lower inside the building and thus conserve energy. "This is similar to how a cactus chooses to perform transpiration at night rather during the day in order to retain water" (www.robaid.com).

http://www.robaid.com/bionics/green-architecture-qatar-cacti-biomimicry.htm

This photo shows a piece of furniture made from recycled materials. I think I like this piece so much because not only does it employ principles of sustainable design, but it doesn't try to hide it. You can clearly see that it is made from recycled materials and that serves as a constant reminder not only of the need to conserve resources, but of how easy it is to make a piece of art out of materials that already exist.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/84/213752139_481325c538_o.jpg