Christopher Bellamy

Lucid Life (Marama Ora in Tahitian) is a practice-based research project, which brings together scientific and traditional knowledge, to explore interspecies and intercultural collaboration.

Living materials’ ability to grow, adapt, and heal has been used symbiotically by humans for thousands of years, however, they are now replaced by the more reliable and repeatable inert materials which dominate our day to day lives.

After a bioprospecting trip to French Polynesia in search of novel micro-organisms, Chris was inspired by the indigenous community’s connection to nature, as well as their positive perception of the scientific community, and wanted to see how design could bring these two worlds together.

Using bioluminescent algae, like those in symbioisis with corals, Chris developed a contemporary living material with the support of the Francis Crick Institute for biomedical discovery.

This ethereal material emits light in response to touch. The microorganisms are encapsulated in a way which allows them to live, sequester carbon, and emit light for more than 6 months; needing only sunlight in return.

In collaboration with 3 different Polynesian artisans, who have a deep understanding of the symbiotic relationships in the reefs around their islands, a series of artefacts were co-created using the bioluminescent living material.

A drum, a swimsuit, and a necklace were created; combining local materials and practices, with the bioluminescent material.

Each of these objects was found to create awe-inspiring and transcendent experiences, which Chris hopes can inspire those who experience the project to live more symbiotically with other cultures and species.

With living materials, similar to Polynesian traditional knowledge which exists only in living memory, there is a risk that it may die. However it is this fragility that allows it to adapt, react, and interact – and is what makes this temporal state of livingness so beautiful.