The Undyeing Swatch
Fiona Bell · 2021
The Undyeing Swatch utilizes a combination of visible Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) and photocatalytic nanoparticles to diminish the color of organically dyed textiles. As such, this swatch explores ’undyeing’ as a design process that utilizes light and dye as materials for controlled interaction. The swatch itself consists of a knitted cotton I-cord coated with silver doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2/Ag) and dyed with hibiscus. The I-cord is used to encase a strand of LEDs and was then continuously woven into a swatch. When the LEDs are turned on, the light activates the nanoparticles which in turn break down organic matter (the dye). This swatch provides a proof of concept for the undyeing process, which I believe could be an interesting area of future exploration for HCI researchers and artists alike.