Dyeing, materials, inspiration

Using the beautiful line structure of the scales in the fish skin we've prepared as inspiration, I've been researching different dyeing techniques that replicate the surface of the fish skin. So far I've tried a wide variety of procedures: Arashi shibori, immersion dyeing, potato dextrin resist and thiox dye-removal. Most of these techniques I've tested on silk organza, china silk, and muslin. In our research about fish skin and life cycle I've found some interesting information on other cultures that use the typically wasted fish skin in innovative ways, mainly the Hoche people of the Heilongjiang Province in Northeastern China. The way that these people used fish skin (up until the urbanization of rural areas in the 1950's) made me reconsider the way in which I consume food encased in it's own packaging or skin.