2026 ZEKIWA, Zeitz
June 2026: During a two-day workshop at the international summer camp Irregular Circularities of the RZZ Laboratory in Zeitz, we explored the traditional technique of making casein paint, which is composed entirely of natural ingredients. Using the former ZeKiWa factory as our testing ground, we gave the temporary window closures a more permanent appearance. It was remarkable to see how much pigment the casein paint can hold, allowing us to apply an extremely thin yet colorfast layer of actual brick to the surface. Once cured, the paint even becomes water-resistant for a period of time.
Almost all the ingredients for casein paint were locally available. We bought plenty of curd cheese from the supermarket to serve as the binder. The protein casein acts as the adhesive in the paint and is activated by adding a small amount of an alkaline ingredient, such as lime putty. Different pigments were then added to this base, all of them sourced on site. A red-painted floor, stones, brick, and rust were ground into fine powders and sieved before being mixed into the paint. The result is a smooth, creamy paint with a remarkably high pigment load that is both durable and easy to apply.