Review of presentation: Bio-inspired design by Neri Oxman

The purpose of this presentation is to explain a new methodology of approaching the

process of design, from concept to finished product. The ideas proposed by Neri
Oxman are inspired by the principles that govern nature. Her designs embody four
fields of expertise: computational design, additive manufacturing, materials
engineering and synthetic biology. From the combination of these domains, her team
obtained futuristic and outstanding products. For instance, a skin imitating dress that
can vary its porosity, length and even filter air and sweat. Consequently creating a
single system that is capable of modifying its properties continuously. When I first
saw the piece I immediately thought about the avant-garde fashion phenomenon Iris
van Herpen. As I later discovered, the dress was indeed produced in collaboration
with this designer. All the innovations presented are impressive, but what surprised
me the most was 3D printer capable of pouring melted glass to form various shapes
and textures. I was familiar with 3D printers that use solidifying agents as polymers,
cement and even living cells, but I’ve never encountered a glass-based one.
Although I doubt the practicality and scalability potential of most items (the helmet,
the Dalai Lama inspired bed and the silk pavilion) it’s exciting to see someone
questioning the status quo through originality ahead of its time. She addresses an
important issue that our society confronts which is disregard for the effects of human
behaviour on nature. The vision she has about the future incorporates devices,
wearables and buildings that reflect mother nature in almost all its aspects:
functionality, beauty but most important sustainability. This last feature is a great
concern for environmentalists, especially the problem of plastic pollution. Like many
other scientists, professor N. Oxman suggests a viable alternative - crustaceous
shells but she introduces it in a unique and fascinating manner at a superior art level.
I would definitely recommend this presentation to my friends and family because of
the appealing way in which science, art and nature merge in prototypes that
stimulate the imagination and maybe change the trajectory of our world.