T’ika means “flower” in Quechua. 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 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.