T’ika means “flower” in Quechua, the native language of the largest Indigenous community in Peru.

The project draws a visual and material connection between bacterial cellulose and Cantuta flowers, particularly, in their shared water content and structural fragility. Bacterial cellulose, a living material produced through microbial fermentation, mimics the soft, hydrated texture of flower petals. The sculpture’s form is inspired by the cantuta’s slender, tubular petals, reflecting their elongated and flaring shape.

The work references the Cantuta flower, a national symbol during the Inca Empire, associated with identity and unity.This historical symbolism is used to frame bacterial cellulose as a material that reflects collective systems—both biological and cultural. Just as the Cantuta represented communal strength, microbial cellulose highlights the interdependent relationships within microbial communities, proposing a model of ecological interconnectedness.