Iza Awad and Raoul Frese combine their research with art in order to create a podium for diversity and inclusiveness. In this project, a very large team of creatives will showcase a photosynthetic human. Project is funded by both the Vrije Universiteit, as a lab project funded by VUvereniging and the University of Amsterdam, via the FNWI grassroots science4all grant.
Chemistry students Tomiris Nabiyeva and Tianbo Duan also participate in this project as photographers. Tianbo also researches bacterial cellulose for garments.
Iza Awad
My name is Iza Awad, a 24 year old Queer man who is an enthusiast for artistic and scientific research beyond the extraordinary. In 2021 I graduated (cum laude) from the Chemistry master at the University of Amsterdam and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. A great part of my master trajectory I focused on the interaction of photosynthetic plants and algae with a novel cellulose material made from bacteria (bacterial cellulose). Together with my professor/director of the VU Artscience lab, dr. Raoul Frese and researcher dr. Sandrine D’Haene we were awarded multiple grants from the NWO and the University of Amsterdam to develop several new living materials. Summer 2019 we showed the first clothing pieces consisting of a living fabric made of plants and cellulose. Later this year, we will showcase our most recent research called ‘Photosynthetic Human’.
project News & events
Raoul Frese: Photosynthetic Human
In this audio fragment Raoul Frese explains the labs collaboration with Iza Awad.
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ACROSS THE MUSEUM AFTER SIX
Stedelijk Museum hosts special event featuring Hito Steyerl’s exhibition and diverse performances.
Read More ACROSS THE MUSEUM AFTER SIX
PREMIERE SHORT FILM PHOTOSYNTHETIC HUMAN
Short film “Photosynthetic Human” premieres at Short Movie Sunday, exploring science-art intersectionality.
Read More PREMIERE SHORT FILM PHOTOSYNTHETIC HUMAN
Artscience Lab Hybrid Forms 