Proposal Mycelium Open Call
I am a visual artist fascinated by transparency and by networks such as street maps and similar systems like the system of blood vessels. Those two aspects are also the main interest in exploring the possibilities of working with mycelium.
Subject:
Transparency with the structure and bifurcation of the hyphae of mycelium to form/mould/grow hollow structures/sculptures as thin and transparent as possible.
The research would consist of:
1. is the material durable and firm enough to last and stand on its own as a transparent, hollow sculpture.
2. can the material last for a specific period of time: is it possible to influence, predict and set the exact lifetime of the material.
3. can the material eventually be strong enough to match and possibly replace fibreglass.
Why:
Transparency and subtle lines, branching formed by mapping and blood vessels: the imprint of a person or place. That’s what fascinates me in mycelium: the natural bio-degradable structure formed by hyphae. So far I have been working with non-bio degradable materials (plastics, silicone, fibreglass ie.) that I would love to replace with non environmental harmful materials. Also I have been experimenting with natural materials such as corn-, potato starch and cellulose, but they do not have the strength nor the structure I am looking for.
Basically I am interested in finding a kind of substitute for fibreglass and I am curious to see whether mycelium would (eventually) get the same properties (thin, transparent, strong, with structure) and maybe would even be able to replace it.
Lifetime/durability: Nothing should last forever and I find the whole cycle of growth and decay a very interesting aspect of mycelium. Would it be possible to make a sculpture out of mycelium that could last for a predefined period of time?
How:
What I understand from Pauline Krijgsheld (UU) it is possible to obtain a transparent material from mycelium. I would like to pursue this possibility and research whether the structure of the hyphae can be influenced.
I would like to start on a small scale study, researching the different material possibilities of mycelium in obtaining a mouldable, strong and transparent material with the characteristic structure of branching hyphae and how the longevity might be influenced and controlled.
E.G. I would be really keen on making a transparent, hollow sculpture that would ‘eat’ itself and be gone after say 3 months (how precisely can the natural degradability be influenced).
My aim is to find a new transparent material that could possibly replace fibreglass.
The whole process of developing and the search for this new material is a project by itself that I would like to photo document.
