Public Event: Materials Library Evening

Public Events

The Materials Library is a collection of some of the most wondrous materials on earth, gathered from sheds, labs, grottoes and repositories around the world. It is a resource, laboratory, studio and playground for the curious and material-minded to conduct hands-on research through truly interdisciplinary inquiry and innovation.

The evening will include an introduction by Creative Director & Curator of Materials Zoe Laughlin, opportunities for hands-on engagement with the collection, material consultancy and, most excitingly, the launch of the Materials Library App. Celebrating the art, craft, science and culture of matter, the App is a digitised version of the collection that enables you to search, browse and discover some of the marvels of the material world; from metals with memory and super-tough ceramics, to self-healing concrete and radio active glass. Enter your own search terms (“blue” or “steal” or “flexible”) and see what is revealed, check out the most recent arrivals in the collection, or explore through various pathways of classification including state, category and curiosity.

Join the Institute of Making team in exploring the Materials Library’s curious collection to see, touch, discuss, play with and learn more about the extraordinary material world that surrounds us.