Fleeting 2016-2017
Arielle Blonder, Shira Shoval
In collaboration with Dr. Tiffany Abitbol

Nanocellulose Casting
1200X450 mm

Fleeting is a series of over one hundred crafted butterflies, showcased as a meticulously arranged zoological collection, or a display of precious
jewelry. The delicate butterfly-shaped objects, of lacy texture and metallic iridescent colors, are pinned and marked methodically in a collectors’ box. It is an art piece of creative material exploration, taking place at the scientist’s lab. 

Nanocellulose (NCC) is a biopolymer of nanometric size, enhancing nature’s extraordinary properties of cellulose. Found in paper and textile waste, cellulose is the most abundant fiber on earth, being the main component of the plants’ cell wall. Its high strength, flexibility and resilience make it an attractive resource for various industries and applications. Isolated from cellulose in a lab process, the resulting colorless liquid of varying viscosity presents attributes such as excellent mechanical, electrical and optical properties.

Some types of NCC can be cast, making a thin film-like membrane that exhibits birefringence, the variable refraction of light depending on light polarization that results in a vibrant iridescent color. This phenomenon is the underlying principle of the beauty of iridescence found in surfaces of natural organisms such as butterfly and beetle wings or mother of pearl.

‘Fleeting’ takes the butterfly as a means of exploration and representation of the optical effect, and the ability to control its coloration parametrically. Through careful variation of ultrasonic energy in the material fabrication process, the appearance of the colorless liquid varies gradually. Shifting from cold, blueish-silvery colors to warm orange-red golden shiny surfaces, its material resembles precious minerals rather than paper. This work sets the starting point for future exploration of the interfaces between biodesign, parametric design and new materiality.

The work is a collaboration with Prof Oded Shoseyov Laboratory for Nano Biotechnology, The Robert H Smith Institute of Plant Science and Genetics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Melodea Ltd Israel.