Talking to The Indigo Vat

During 2023, 2024 and 2025, I have been researching different ways of dyeing with indigo. I am deeply interested in its craft and connection to the Land. I have been working with communities in Finland, Japan, India and Thailand learning more about indigo fermented vats.

Each place has its know specific indigo plants, ingredients, and ways of taking care of the vat. This research continues to connect communities of indigo dyers and further investigate the bacterial communities inside the vat. This project revolves around interspecies communication and stories between humans and the microorganisms inside the vat connecting us to the Land. It currently focuses on diversifying the indigo and bacterial stories within Japan. 

   

Indigo colour originates from the leaves of different species of indigo plants which are specific to certain regions and climates. Indigo blue was traditionally the first blue found in nature and one of the oldest natural dyes still practised today. The quality of the dye, its medicinal properties, and the diversity of techniques makes it very unique.

   

In this ongoing research I am investigating: 
- different species of indigo plants in the world

- indigo vat fermentation and chemical reactions 
- different ingredients and ways of creating and indigo vat 
- craft techniques of indigo dyeing 
- the connection between indigo cycles and the Land 
- indigo vat bacterias and microbes 

Documentation picture of the indigo fermented vat at BioClub Tokyo, field work on Okinawa Islands and in Thailand.