Our Materials

The four materials we will be experimenting with and repurposing are: (from top to bottom)

Bagasse (Pulp from Sugar Cane)

Sugar Cane Scraps

Rice Straw

Rice Hull

Although all these materials are byproducts of Poaceae or grain plants, the structure, texture and behavior of these materials are all very different. Like all materials, these byproducts come with strengths and weaknesses that we will have to understand and consider in our constructions.

"All materials have their own qualities and qualifications. Each kind has laws of its own which demand considerate treatment at he artist's hand. You cannot expect to produce good works if you treat your materials without reference to their nature."

John Howard Benson

Creator of the RISD Seal