A Friendly Enemy - Japanese Knotweed in the Paper Laboratory

Exhibition
11. 12. 2015–28. 2. 2016
Museum of Architecture and Design (MAO) , Ljubljana

Is it possible to look beyond the harmful effects of invasive plants — to consider them as a common good and recognise a new opportunity to connect and collaborate? What role can designers play in this common eco-nomy? Can we bring new life to forgotten traditional crafts by recognizing changes in our environmnent?

The exposition on the potentials of the Japanese knotweed plant as an alternative source of cellulose fibers was prepared in a collaboration with the designers from Re-generacija Association, Pulp and Paper Institute Ljubljana (ICP), the Craftsman Workshop Vevče and the Department of Industrial and Unique Design at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design (ALUO). The exhibition presents the process of hand paper making, a collection of materials and prototypes as well as a selection of commentaries and suggestions for acting within newly established natural dynamics spurred by the invasion of Japanese knotweed plant.

Authors: Gaja Mežnarić Osole, Nuša Jelenec, Katarina Dekleva
Project manager: Gaja Mežnarić Osole
Production: Maja Šuštaršič, Museum of Architecture and Design
Research group: dr. Tea Toplišek, dr. Janja Ule, Andrej Šinkovec, Gaja Mežnarić Osole, Nuša Jelenec, Katarina Dekleva
Partners: Re-generacija Association, Pulp and Paper Institute Ljubljana, the Craftsman Workshop Vevče and the Department of Industrial and Unique Design at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design
Supporters: mag. Mateja Mešl, Mojca Vasle Cejan, Jože Valant
Design: Mina Arko
Photography: Nataša Košmerl