The Periodic Table: our body & Iodine

Natural Iodine: immeasurable value

The micro-nutrient Iodine is of vital importance for our cognitive wellbeing and our bodily motorical function. Our design project questions the mismanagement of the natural resources of iodine, most common to be found in seaweed. Unexpectedly, Europe scores high on a deficient level of Iodine in the body. A long term incorrect intake can have serious health consequences for especially pregnant women, children and vegetarians.

Policy-makers have a hard time regulating the food industry for iodizing food products. Which would guarantee the right amount of daily iodine intake. In contrast, seaweed is a natural resource of iodine and could take its role within our habitual consumption. Instead, the economical motor is being provided for, due to nuclear waste cycles polluting the iodine-based kelp with chemicals.

It is a question of how much value is given to the same raw material. It, being contextualized within either economical, scientifical or consumption purposes. Our visual installation, comparing the Japanese with the Dutch plated food on our daily table. Questioning the economical cause and possible health effects the current situation has. Invisibly diminishing the worry of excluding natural iodine as a habitual and effective micro-nutrient from our dinner table.

Collaboration:
SeungJoon Song
Josephine de Fijter