hylē morphē - bacteria & skin carrier

hylē morphē
= alive matter produces its own form.

My research focuses on discovering whether we can train the SCOBY to specialize itself in a skin condition. A preventive medicinal treatment whereby the user takes care of its SCOBY that is regarded almost like a pet as essential for the owner’s wellbeing. Via a first speculative design of a system, the microorganisms are integrated into the household. Firstly, it filters the water and hereby collects the skins’ bacteria and yeast. Which then will be infused with the continuously regenerative brew of cellulose culture. Wherein an interesting material starts to float, a fungus which protects the brew from damaging bacterial invaders. At a certain moment the PH of the brew is at its optimal for harvesting part of the liquid, for drinking (Kombucha) and the rest for starting the next batch of fermentation. The fungus, after having played its role as protector, takes on a new purpose as a healing product for our skin; naturally weaving its cellulose components around an alginate mold. After the mold is fully covered we can keep it safe by refrigerating the beauty product. When we have our bi-weekly skin treatment we apply the second skin as a perfect fitting membrane suit onto our body. The SCOBY is expected to beneficially lower the PH of our skin. The user enters its steam bath. One where hot air around 28 degrees is blowing onto our second skin for at least 20 minutes. The SCOBY reacts to oxygen and thrives when the temperature is lower than 30 degrees. Afterwards, the user puts the second skin for preservation and treatment in an oil bath. Soon it can give us leather like textile, which we can use for multiple purposes (clothing, food preservation). Even when the textile has fulfilled its need, we can place it in the earth of our garden to nourish the ground as its final calling.