Ecologies of Local Colors
Color is all around us. While much of it seems visible, most of it is hidden. Plants, food waste, bacteria, insects, soils and minerals, or algae, mosses and lichens - all are abundant with color that can be released as dyes, pigments and inks.
For 10 years, Waag has researched textiles and natural dye-making from within her TextileLab, located at the heart of the city of Amsterdam. With the exhibition Chromatic Relations during GLUE Amsterdam 2025, Waag highlights this legacy, showcasing the urban environment as potential source for natural colors.
Cities as ecologies
The urban environment is not the first place that comes to mind when we think of gathering resources for natural colours and materials - yet it's a very abundant one that holds many opportunities. Cities are ecologies—interwoven with living matter, layered histories and circular possibilities.
Through natural dye-making, we reconnect with ecological cycles throughout the urban landscape, transforming our perception of the city from a concrete jungle into a living ecosystem. It teaches us to attend to plants and to revaluate and repurpose overlooked natural resources. It draws our attention to the ecologies that we are part of and reveals the colorful potential that grows everywhere around us – right under our feet.
Exhibition opening hours: 12:00 - 17:00 hrs
GLUE Amsterdam
As a cultural partner of GLUE, Waag Futurelab aims to provide a platform for new ideas from the design world. Creating things, prototyping and practical experimentation allow us to work towards a better future. During GLUE, you can visit different venues throughout the city. See the map with participating venues.
GLUE Amsterdam takes place from 18 to 21 September.
In addition to Chromatic Relations, Waag is opening its doors to exhibit the works of five Sticky GLUE members: Kurina Sohn, Arthood Collective, Michèle Boulogne, Rosa Smits and Riangelo Christie.
RE Nature Festival
The exhibition can be additionally be seen from Tuesday 23 to Sunday 28 September thanks to the RE Nature Festival.
