Partner/
dieDAS/
Dr. Hauschka presents Symbiotic Habitat by dieDAS
Dr. Hauschka is pleased to present Symbiotic Habitat, an installation of unique works by the first fellows of Germany’s dieDAS - Design Akademie Saaleck, a recently launched academy dedicated to innovative, sustainable, and socially relevant design, architecture, and craft. Guided by the partners’ shared pioneering spirit and commitment to engaging the natural world with humility and respect, the presentation explores possibilities for crafting a mutually beneficial coexistence with nature while spotlighting works from the next generation of craft and design.
Featured emerging talents include Marginal Studio, Pollyanna Moss, Carolina Pacheco, Sasson Rafailov, Daniel Tish and Basse Stittgen.
Within an immersive, mycelium-wrapped space, the young talents’ objects engage in dialogue with the innovative bio-material backdrop, calling to mind questions—and possible guideposts—as we navigate the path forward in rethinking and rebuilding our relationship to nature, in pursuit of a truly symbiotic dynamic. The presentation features a constellation of Mogu tiles composed of mycelium—the vegetative structure of mushrooms—and agro-industrial residues.
Symbiotic Habitat is curated by dieDAS Artistic Director, biomaterial expert, and Mogu founder Maurizio Montalti.
About Dr. Hauschka, dieDAS, and Mogu/
About Dr. Hauschka/
We have always been different. Ever since we were established in 1967, we have been rebelliously and systematically cultivating ‘A different view on..’. We produce more than just natural cosmetics: our medicinal plant gardens protect the diversity of our planet. Fairness and respect are the hallmarks of our relationships with partners in the Global South, Europe and the rest of the world. Our care creates products of long-term relevance. Through our actions, we are improving the future of our society and our environment today.
Beauty lies in individuality, it is not an ideal. Through their work, our researchers are protecting the planet, not exploiting it. And our cosmetics bring balance to skin instead of interfering with its natural state. We are dedicated plant nerds and treasure hunters in nature. It is our muse, our teacher, our role model, the beginning of everything we do.
In partnership with Maurizio Montalti and dieDAS we extend Dr. Hauschka‘s "A different view on.." during Design Miami/ Basel 2021 with the work presented by the 7 dieDAS fellows showcasing their personal views on nature, beauty, impact and design. Once a pioneer, always a pioneer. WALA Heilmittel GmbH has been developing natural preparations since 1935. In the early days of its history, it was considered avant-garde and pioneering in a society that was barely even aware of natural preparations. “We naturally felt like rebels when we developed these unconventional cosmetics”, commented Elisabeth Sigmund, speaking about the early days of Dr. Hauschka in 1967. For Dr. Hauschka, natural cosmetics are not a trend but a tradition that has lasted for decades. Today, the foundation company exports products to over 50 countries. #adifferentviewoncosmetics @drhauschka.de wala.world
About dieDAS/
dieDAS - Design Akademie Saaleck was founded in 2018 to provide generous opportunities for professional development and networking to designers and design-driven creatives. It is our deep conviction that such resources are essential to the creation of innovative and socially relevant processes and prototypes, which humanity urgently needs to secure present and future coexistence. The academy’s program promotes transformative, collaborative design creation within a supportive environment that welcomes brainstorming, confrontation, and soul searching. We intend our campus to be a place to experience nature, reflect on history, and connect with colleagues and mentors, all while enlarging the potential of design.
Nestled high on a cliff above the Saale River, dieDAS is based in Saxony-Anhalt near Naumburg, Germany. The dieDAS campus is shadowed by a dark past, inextricably tied to its original builder, the racist ideologue and architect Paul Schultze-Naumburg (1869–1949). dieDas is committed to remembering its history and reclaiming this “uncomfortable monument” as a site for forward-facing discourse and dynamic, socially conscious creation.
About Mogu/
Mogu was founded on the belief that it is possible to employ Nature’s intelligence to radically disrupt the design of everyday products, seeking a finer balance between the man-made and the rhythms of the natural ecosystem. Mogu products are obtained by growing mycelium, the vegetative part of mushrooms, on organic fibres (low-value residues from agro-industrial value chains). The products are the result of five years of continuous and iterative R&D on mycelium technology, guided by a strong product-driven approach.
