Indigo extraction and indigo vat dyeing, which have been
used for over 6,000 years, are among the earliest cultural biotechnological processes. Indigo is the only natural dye that
can produce a permanent blue on textile materials, and the dyeing process over time has fascinated and inspired artists all
over the world. However, since the synthesis of indigo by A. Baeyer and the beginning of commercial production in 1897, synthetic
indigo as well as reducing agents such as sodium dithionite or hydrosulphite have increasingly met the requirements for ever
faster production; without taking into account that it has proven to be catastrophic for the global production of natural
indigo and poses many ecological and economic problems.
This arts-based research project investigates how natural
indigo dyeing can be carried into the future in sustainable, innovative and socially relevant ways. In light of indigo’s multiple
applications and practices and a growing awareness and demand for ecological responsibility – including the need to preserve
human and environmental health and ensure the traceability of production processes – the project places its research focus
on exploring how knowledge, artistic skills, handicraft skills and forms of practice that have disappeared or are slowly being
lost can be preserved and transformed in a way that can contribute to ensuring a solid basis for contemporary, sustainable
processes of design and innovation.
The project builds on intercultural collaborations and artistic dialogues
to highlight the social and environmental relevance and impact of sustainable practice, to support the use of natural indigo
dyes for individuals and small communities as well as demonstrate possible ways of sustainable indigo dyeing and community
engaged farm-to-trade practices for the 21
st century.
Various platforms for transmitting knowledge,
sharing experiences and strengthening networks (between project partners, dialogue partners, practitioners and relevant communities)
will contribute to share the knowledge not only within the Central European indigo community, but also to incorporate and
apply it in the IBIKASO indigo & farming project in Siby/Mali.
https://indigo.uni-ak.ac.at 
