Hands-on seminar for adults "Henna red and cheese yellow" in Witzenhausen

Similar to KinderUni, but for grown-ups: They find out how the red gets into the gummy bears and what makes the currywurst yellow, dye fabrics, make paint, get creative.

Would you like to work together with others, learn something new and discuss an exciting topic? Perhaps we have found the right framework for this with this hands-on seminar. Our idea is to learn from and with each other and get active in the process. A varied program awaits you!

People have been embellishing their bodies, clothing, food and homes with colors for thousands of years. Until the 19th century, people all over the world used "natural" dyes made from animal, vegetable or mineral raw materials for this purpose. Today, synthetic dyes are widespread, with all their ecological and cultural consequences. In this seminar, we will look at dye plants from all over the world, both local and from other regions of the world. But what actually is color, what does it do in the plant and which plant color is suitable for which purpose?

In the seminar, we bridge the gap between empirical knowledge and ecology, art and cultural history. The focus is on practical work, stories and small experiments. During the breaks, there will be colorful delicacies and time to share your own experiences and knowledge.

Saturday afternoon begins with a journey through the history of plant dyes from different cultures. On a journey to the equator, we will encounter familiar and unfamiliar plants: Which plant colors currywurst yellow, what does Blue Monday have to do with jeans and what is the function of paprika red in chicken feed? Small experiments explain color phenomena in our everyday lives, e.g. the difference between red cabbage and blue cabbage. Freshly fortified, we then set about preparing the dye baths and fabrics for self-dyed textiles.

On Sunday morning, the focus is on practical and creative activities. We will dye our prepared fabrics with plants and learn about some local dye plants and their practical applications. After colorful and literary snacks, we want to become artistically active. Colors made from plants invite you to try out, mix and design greeting cards or small works of art. In between, there will be time for theoretical excursions into color symbolism and an exchange about cultural similarities and differences.

A cooperation project between the Tropical Greenhouse of the University of Kassel, Bildung trifft Entwicklung, Göttingen, Bildungszentrum WeltGarten Witzenhausen and Bündnis für Familie der Stadt Witzenhausen.

Saturday, September 16 from 2 to 7 pm and Sunday, September 17 from 9 am to 1:15 pm.
With naturopath and agricultural engineer Ines Fehrmann, 05542-72812
Target group: adults, max. 15 people
Cost: €90 incl. coffee breaks and materials
Please register by September 10

Registration and information
Tropengewächshaus Universität Kassel
Steinstraße 19, 37213 Witzenhausen
Tel.: 05542-981231 Email: tropengewaechshaus[at]uni-kassel[dot]de
Homepage: www.tropengewaechshaus.de