Saturday, March 20th - 8am-3pm (one hour break included)
In this full-day investigation, we will plunge into one of history’s most iconic, and most enigmatic color mysteries: indigo. Students will explore several different methods for creating an indigo dye bath, each producing its own distinct “shade” of blue. We will study the history and global significance of indigo, its enduring popularity, and the chemistry that allows a greenish liquid to yield the deepest blues when exposed to air. We will analyze and compare multiple vat types. Methods covered will include: • Fresh leaf vat (dependent on plant availability) • Dried leaf vat (dependent on availability) • Lye-reduced vat • Fructose vat • Iron vat Throughout the day, you will gain practical experience maintaining, adjusting, and troubleshooting each vat, developing the keen observational skills needed to achieve reliable, repeatable results. Students will take home printed informational material and samples from each vat.
