KAIKU Living Color
a system for creating color pigments derived from plant waste.
Historically color came from plants and minerals, but with the onset of industrialization, cheap petrochemical colors became the norm, at huge environmental cost. To avoid further ecological devastation, KAIKU uses plant waste to create natural powder pigments. Many plants & fruits we eat every day, such as avocados, onions, and oranges, have valuable colors within their skins and peels. Normally these are left to rot in landfills, but KAIKU transforms this waste into a high value resource.
KAIKU is a sustainable alternative to color made from petroleum. The colors in most consumer products are derived from petrochemicals, and as we start to scrutinize everything for its sustainability, pigments are due for change.
For more information please visit www.kaiku.bio.
special thanks
Dr David Peggie – The National Gallery
Sasha Duerr – sashaduerr.com
Karon Ng – karon-makes.com
Andrew Pierre Hart – andrewpierrehart.com
Dr Andreas Kafizas – Imperial College London
exhibitions
awards
KI Award, Runner-up, Krueger International, 2019
Nominee, Helen Hamlyn Design Awards, June 2019
press
Dezeen. 09.2019. “Kaiku turns fruit and vegetable waste into natural pigments.”
NU.nl. 10.2019. “Duurzame oplossing: Kleurstof maken van avocado en ui.”
Architectural Digest India. 09.2019. “Finally! A sustainable way to make pigments and dyes.”
ICON. 07.2019. “Royal College of Art graduates offer creative takes on modern challenges.”