Human Nature is an exhibition that showcases a collection of bio-based materials by Natural Material Studio at the Copenhagen Contemporary. This solo exhibition represents years of research and experimentation in creating the natural materials and designing accompanying works. Bonnie Hvilium, the founder of Natural Material Studio, aims to create an environment that seamlessly combines aesthetics and tactile elements while exploring the connection between individuals with the natural world. The exhibition features stunning works made from Natural Material Studio’s own bio-based materials, created by combining biopolymers, clay, chalk, and natural softeners.

Twenty-eight, semi-translucent sheets are suspended from the ceiling to the floor, each sheet made from bio-based materials and resembling a rubber-like texture stretching an impressive length of over 7 meters. These sheets exhibit a natural blend of green and white hues, along with rough, unfinished textures. The panels act as partitions within the space, and solid seating blocks, created from the same bio-ingredients, rest between them. These seating blocks provide comfortable seating and also highlight the natural characteristics and inherent rubber-like qualities of the materials. They encourage visitors to engage with the exhibition through tactile interaction. The exhibition also features lighting works. The crafted materials are stretched over large metal frames and mounted on the wall, with LED lights positioned behind the earth-toned, translucent materials.

Established in 2018, Natural Material Studio is a research and artistic practice with founding principles of circular design, focusing on the concepts of reuse, recycle, renew, and rethink. The material-led studio focuses on the use of discarded or underutilized natural resources. This approach allows them to cross-pollinate across the fields of biology, chemistry, design, and art, resulting in a diverse range of creative outputs.