Wild Mushrooms & Functional Fungi
Come explore how mushrooms push fungal forms: as bricks, as environmental cleaning tools, as vibrant dyes.
Exhibited from December 4th, 2015 – March 20th, 2016
Mushrooms: good on pizza, sometimes psychedelic, and also the world’s oldest and most uncelebrated tool.
See how mushrooms push fungal forms: as bricks, as environmental cleaning tools, as vibrant dyes. Today, mushrooms have become a pioneering tool for designers, a subject for artists, and important biotechnology for scientists. Explore how these fungal fieldworkers reimagine the relationships between human beings, technology and the greater living environment.
Pay tribute to mycological might of fungus. From catalysts of enlightenment to living building materials. Mushrooms are used to clothe people, to clean up environmental messes, create vibrant dyes, and offer spiritualism as a psychotropic activator.
Mushrooms are even being used as a source for alternative “green” building resources. This is referred to as “self-actualized matter” by mycotecture pioneer Phil Ross. This describes how matter can be directed to form objects such as blocks, bricks, lumber, and insulation. This patented process produces mushroom-based-tools that are organic, can be grown into functional objects, and are inherently fire retardant. Explore the possibilities.
More One-of-a-Kind Art
Functional Fungi is no longer on view - but there's still plenty to discover in our current exhibitions.