A magestic structure resembling a butterfly's wings in pattern and when semi-closed in a tall cylindrical form with rounded edges that meet in the center while the inner design is mostly exposed. The sections of colors are saturated and symmetrical on both sides of the armature. This piece is an essential reductive form of beauty embracing science.

See more objects with the tag sculptural, leaves, experimental materials, biodegradable.

Object Timeline

	We acquired this object.
2017	Work on this object began.
2019	We photographed this object. We exhibited this object. Work on this object ended.
2023	You found it!

Aguahoja II, 2017-2019

It was designed by Neri Oxman and manufactured by MIT Media Lab Mediated Matter Group. It is dated 2017-2019. Its medium is samples, structrure. It is a part of the department.

The Aguahoja project consists of biocomposite materials derived from shrimp shells and fallen leaves, which are augmented with natural pigments. The materials can be 3D printed and programmed to varied mechanical, optical, and olfactory properties. The structure demonstrates an architectural-scale iteration of the skin-and-shell composite. The artifacts illustrate continued research into the optical and mechanical properties of the biocomposites. The degraded samples illustrate the materials’ life cycle, ultimately returning to the ecosystem. Through life and programmed decomposition, shelter-becomes-organism, providing nutrients for “growing” buildings.

It is credited Courtesy of The Mediated Matter Group.

This is a small, thin, elliptical-shaped tortoiseshell box with a lid. The base of the interior of the box is covered in a purple fabric—possibly velvet. The sides of the box are undecorated. The lid of the box is decorated with a pattern of sort, metallic diagonal lines set in five horizontal rows. The diagonal lines alternate directions from row to row so the differing rows of lines are positioned perpendicular to one another. Each linear element is off set from one another. Near the center of the lid is a decorative metallic cartouche. The lid is split by metal hinge towards one end, allowing box to open.

Box
shaped tortoiseshell with silver inlay.
Gift of Sarah Cooper Hewitt.
1899-12-1

Textile, Hortensia
cotton.
Gift of Marimekko Oy.
1988-110-6

Covered Fruit Basket Fruit Basket
iridized, glazed hand-rolled, cut, and assembled porcelain.
Gift of Suzanne W. Todd in Memory of William & Beatrice Votaw .
2011-37-1-a,b

Our curators have highlighted 1 object that are related to this one.

3D printed form of 5 vertebrae painted in white. Each surface of the material has a different pattern and negative space. The suspended horizontally placed form is illuminated and overlaps a stark black ground.

3D-Painted Hyperelastic Bone®, 2015-19
bone samples, countour meshes for reconstructive surgery, photograph.
Courtesy of Adam E. Jakus and Ramille N. Shaw, Dimension Inx LLC.
NATURE.025

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Nature—Cooper Hewitt Design Triennial.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/4wUs7t/
Accession Number NATURE.022
Object ID 2318798847