Fabric manipulation + Bioluminescence

I’ve decided on so many things since the last post. But here’s what I’m investigating as of late: fiber optic fabric!

I don’t have access to entrapping toxic algae to glow inside my garments, but I’ve sampled a swatch of fiber optic fabric. This was $45 dollars and although the piece is interesting, its WAY too expensive to use at scale. There is a better more controlled method to play with fiber optics and not break the bank! By purchasing the separate fibers/cables and stitching them into my work one at a time, I can create a network of individual lights that are apart of one light system. The ends of the cables will be melted together and electrical taped onto an LED light. The entire LED light strand will be encased in fabric to conceal the wires. This technique will be used to convey the bioluminescence of algae in its toxic stages.

in-progress material exploration board