Opening of the Disruptive Materials Institute e.V
In April 2025, the Disruptive Materials Institute e.V. marked its public debut with a two-day opening event at Galerie KuLe in Berlin. With more than 300 attendees and fully booked workshops, the launch demonstrated the growing public interest in interdisciplinary material innovation and sustainable futures.
The event featured a curated exhibition showcasing experimental materials, textile artefacts, and speculative tools from a diverse group of artists and designers, including: Tim van der Loo, Lottozero, Sanna Ahonen, Sara Hassoune, Verena Brom, Sophia Reißenweber, JÜNGERKÜHN, and many more. Their contributions ranged from bio-based dyes and open-source machines to textile objects and regenerative material concepts.
Keynote lectures were delivered by Prof. Julia Lohmann, a leading figure in critical design and marine biomaterials; Holly McQuillan, internationally recognized for her pioneering research in zero-waste fashion design and transformative textile systems; and Arianna Moroder, co-founder of Lottozero, who offered insights into the political and ecological dimensions of material culture.
All workshops – centered on hands-on experimentation – were sold out in advance, reflecting the public’s strong desire to actively engage with these topics. Workshops included rope making with recycled textiles, screen printing with microalgae, and reproducing modularisation techniques.
The event created a vibrant, temporary lab for public engagement, bringing together scientists, designers, educators, and curious citizens to explore new possibilities in material systems. The high turnout and active participation underscored the need for a platform that bridges scientific rigor with experimental, design-led research.
The Disruptive Materials Institute e.V. extends its sincere gratitude to all contributors, collaborators, and visitors who made the opening such a success. We warmly invite individuals and institutions working at the intersection of material science, design, sustainability, and education to join our growing network. Through collaborative inquiry and public programming, the institute is committed to advancing socially driven innovation and a regenerative material future.
