The Common Nettle

The project’s starting point is the European nettle, Urtica dioica. Often associated with pain, the nettle was, until the Industrial Revolution, a common material for textile production for millennia. 

In light of the earth’s resource and climate challenges, we have uncovered the potential of the European nettle as a raw material, offering a glimmer of hope in the face of these challenges. 

Our artistic method departs from an experimental and analytical foundation, where we have investigated all stages of fibre production – and have aspired to use all parts of the plant. Through an experimental process, we have explored both old and new applications, including textile and composite materials. The studied raw material is collected wild in Copenhagen and Malmö and produced in France by the French company KOPRI.

The primary objective of our project is to disseminate our discoveries about the European nettle and its potential as a raw material. Our research aims to open new possibilities and invite everyone to witness how this seemingly ordinary plant can be transformed into a valuable raw material.

Programme

Furniture Design – Products, Materials and Contexts (Institute of Architecture and Design)

External partner

KOPRI