Marko Vivoda, head of the HEKA laboratory, and interdisciplinary artist Gjorgji Despodov premiered the performative workshop Dunch at The Holy Crab on Monday 5 September 2022 as part of the University Festival (Johannes Kepler University Linz and Ars Electronica).

The workshop was dedicated to a reflection on food waste, focusing on polymers derived from shrimp shells. Through a narrative, the participants learned about the positive properties of chitosan and how to treat this material. They made plates, knives, forks, and spoons from materials made from a combination of chitosan (shrimp shells) crossed with other types of biomass. The products they have produced are not suitable for human use because the chemical and mechanical properties of the products are intended for plants, providing nutrients, antimicrobials, and natural fertilizers at different stages of growth.

The workshop leaders thus highlighted the need for a critical rethinking of single-use materials. The workshop was followed by a discussion on the need for single-use materials, how to rethink product development based on material properties and how to address environmental issues.

HEKA also has other productions in the Ars Electronica festival. More information will follow in the next days.