The reason for creating the Clean Lab at our Dijksgracht location was primarily to create a lab space large enough and suitable for the growing tide of artists wanting to expand their work into biological fabrication. A lot of existing scientific research labs were not set up to allow for this kind of activity. Here at Mediamatic, we would provide a lab space especially for artists and the public rather than only scientists in order to actively make space for cross-pollination.
Our first cleanroom was built for the ‘Paddestoelen Paradijs' Exhibition with a permanent structure, including glass walls. (Location: Vijzelstraat)
2013
Designing a portable metal structure with an inflatable plastic tent attached was deemed more appropriate for the new Mediamatic space. (Location: VOC-kade)
2014
Modeling of a spacious, durable, and entirely inflatable plastic tent. Development also of a ‘grey room,’ to separate the entrance from the cleanroom for activities such as changing clothes. The clean bench surface was divided into four cabinets in order to avoid cross-contamination between the different lab projects. (Location: VOC-kade)
2015
Use of the inflatable clean room could no longer support the scale of work desired at the new Mediamatic premises. Plans drawn up for an improved workspace and the area cleared for refurbishments. (Location: Biotoop Dijkspark)
Under the cover of winter and the large green external facade of the ‘Clean Lab’ at the Mediamatic Biotoop Dijkspark, many changes occurred. The Mediamatic clean lab has been undergoing refurbishment operations since November 2015 in order to create a lab space that is of high quality with a sterile air supply.
After a long pause, the Clean Lab has been reopened and reactivated as part of Mediamatic’s artistic and ecological programme. Once again, the lab functions as a site for experimentation with fermentation, sterile processes, living materials and food culture.
Today, the Clean Lab is used by artists in residence, researchers, brewers and chefs working with transformation at a microbial scale. Recent projects include Enora Cressan’s Anatomy of a Material, which investigates the cultural and sensory life of discarded materials, as well as fermentation research connected to TestTafel and Mediamatic’s food programme.
The lab also supports workshops and public experiments around fermentation, brewing and more-than-human forms of making. Brewer and Oedipus co-founder Sander Nederveen continues his fermentation practice here, contributing to the lab’s renewed role as a place where food, biology, art and material research meet.
