Outline of project:
To make an object out of the Kombucha leather that we had grown by ourselves using the kit provided to us by the making center. We learnt in class that Microbial leather is a potential substitute for animal leather and can be sustainably produced by growing microbes (a Symbiotic Community Of Bacteria and Yeast, also known as SCOBY) in a solution of tea, sugar and apple cider vinegar.
Research and Ideations:
Some of the ideas that I had thought about for this project was creating some sort of origami or mini sculpture as the leather would come out very malleable and so I had thought that I would be able to construct something out of that easily due to its smooth texture and form. Below are some of the ideas that I had thought about for my piece.
My Kombucha Leather Tracking Process:
Unfortunately there was a build up of mold on both my attempts at this project which led me to unsuccessful in creating an object.
| Kombucha Leather Tracking (First time) | ||||
| Day | Temperature (°C) | Water Level | Growth Rate | Noticeable Change |
| 3 | 21 | High water level almost as full as when started experiement | No growth of Kombucha | None |
| 7 | 22 | Slight reduction of water level but not very noticeable since start of experiment | No growth of Kombucha | Slighty murkiness in water |
| 10 | 22 | Water level slightly less than day 7, now a noticeable difference as compared to day 3 | No growth of Kombucha | Murkiness increased by a significant amount |
| 12 | 23 | Water level is sligtly less than day 10 | No growth of Kombucha | Fungus growing thrown out water as well with box |
| Kombucha Leather Tracking (Second time) | ||||
| Day | Temperature (°C) | Water Level | Growth Rate | Noticeable Change |
| 3 | 21 | High water level almost as full as when started experiement | No growth of Kombucha | None |
| 7 | 22 | Slight reduction of water level but not very noticeable since start of experiment | No growth of Kombucha | Slighty murkiness in water |
| 10 | 22 | Water level slightly less than day 7, now a noticeable difference as compared to day 3 | No growth of Kombucha | Water is starting to get a little more murky but still fairly clear |
| 12 | 23 | Water level is less. Due to evaporation/ possible absorption into the thin layer of Kombucha leather forming | Very soft thin layer growing creating a slight layer outline on top of the water’s surface | Water is starting to get a little more murky and is getting unclear |
| 14 | 21 | Water level has decreaed since day 12 | Layer starting to thicken (slight growth) | Desnity of murkiness is increasing almost as though fungus may start to grow back |
| 17 | 22 | Water level has decreaed since day 14, substantial difference from when I started this project | Layer appears to be the same as on day 14 | Mould formed, very thick areas of mould formed on/ around the layer of Kombucha leather as well as in the liquid around it. |
| 19 | 22 | Water level is the same when meausred on day 17 | Layer appears to be the same as on day 14 | Too much mould around, water very dense of murkl |
