Grow Op 2019 installation at the Gladstone.
The Mycelium Shrine; Primordia was created. An immersive environment where visitors could listen to the Mycelium and commune with it.
April 17-21st at the Gladstone Hotel, Toronto Room 206
Primordia won the GrowOp Jury Award!
For Grow Op: ENERGY I created an immersive underground environment. Visitors could enter the world of Mycelium and interact with it sonically. Over a two month period, I formed and grew a large-scale mycelium sculpture during my residency at MoCA Toronto. The living mycelium sculpture served as the centrepiece within the installation.
The walls within the space were covered with black scrim, for the floor we brought in 8, 25-litre bags of topsoil. I sprayed the topsoil with hydrogen peroxide and diatomaceous earth to keep the possibility of fungus flies to a minimum.
Fibre optic lighting was hung from the ceiling to represent mycelium growth and networks. A pedestal was placed within this space for the living Mycelium sculpture to stand upon. Once on the pedestal, the sculpture stood approximately 7′. 6 sets of electrodes were placed upon the Mycelium sculpture to read its bio-data and translate that information to MIDI which in-turn powered 3 analogue synthesizers. Copper electrode pads were placed on the top of the pedestal running into the mycelium. Visitors could place their hands on the copper and have their bio-data translated to MIDI along with the Mycelium.
Visitors started referring to the installation as a Shrine to Mycelium.
Entering the room visitors were first introduced to mycelium’s ability to bio-remediate toxins from the environment. Jars containing Ganoderma lucidum with aniline dye and PVC, Pleurotus ostreatus and motor oil were on display. Within less than 2 days the Pleurotus ostreatus (oyster mushrooms) completely absorbed the motor oil and started thriving off of the hydro-carbons.
