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chris crewsPhD student | Political Theory

New School for Social Research

Mycotechnology:The Fungi Kingdom andNatural Technology

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Abstract

This project seeks to bring emerging practices in the field of mycotechnology together with experimental art design to create an edible and ecologically friendly bioart project. The basic outline for this proposal involves creating a series of sculptures which can serve as a simple scaffolding in which inoculated mushroom spawn can colonize and fruit. The primary sculpture materials to be used are recycled, corrugated cardboard, used coffee grounds and natural burlap bags. These three materials will serve as the primary substrate into which the inoculated spawn will be added and grown.The entire process will be documented and, if possible, will include a gourmet meal featuring the grown mushrooms.

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Concept

Show how urban ecology--here using mushrooms (ie.mycotechnology)--can help to divert waste materials not only from trash but also from recycling.

Demonstrate a simple method of waste reduction that anyone can reproduce.

Explore how mushrooms function as a hybrid species that have multiple interfaces into our daily lives: art, science, medicine, food, ecology, spirituality.

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Social ContextWe eat mushrooms, use them for medicine, experiment with them in labs, ingest them for ritual and spiritual purposes, and honor them in word and image.Fungi plays a critical role in the world by helping to break down organic materials, toxins and essential minerals not readily available otherwise in the natural environment.

Stunt Kid – Mushrooms & maggots Phil Ross – Pure Culture Aztec Flower God Xochipilli

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Applied Mycotechnology

Mycotechnology is an emerging field which focuses on ecological restoration, often tied in with the ideas of permaculture. Some mycotechnology examples include:

Mycorestoration: Using mushrooms to rebuild depleted soils, break down industrial toxins and support natural ecosystems.

Mycoforestry: Using mushrooms to rebuild forest soils, stop erosion and soil slippage, and establish symbiotic soil networks.

Mycoremediation: Using mushrooms to rebuild soil mass, nutrient networks and re-establish an optimal soil structure.

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Mushrooms – As Easy as ABC

It doesn't matter if it is an old laundry basket, a mini greenhouse or just a plate on the kitchen counter, growing mushrooms indoors

is fun, easy and even helps the environment.

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From Waste to BioArtThis project involved three main stages:1) Substrate and Materials Setup➢ Collecting cardboard/paper, coffee grounds and burlap➢ Ordering mushroom spawn and lab supplies

Cardboard/paper waste Burlap bag materialsUsed coffee grounds

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Designing with Waste

2) Spawning and Sculpture Design➢ Sketches for sculpture and timeline for spawning/fruiting➢ Mushroom spawning stage initiated

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The Rebirth of Waste

3) Fruiting and Hybridization➢ Initiating mushroom pinning and fruiting➢ Merging living mushrooms and created art together

+ =

Russell the Texas (Cube) Bear, a similar project using bioart.

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Conclusion

Mushrooms are a fascinating species, in part, because of how little we understand about them in relation to their proliferation around the world. Whether in art or food, medicine or ritual, forest decomposition or toxic waste recovery, mushrooms find a way to thrive and multiply in almost any environment. The many benefits which mycotechnology has demonstrated, as well as the many new uses still being developed and studied, suggests that mushrooms have a potential to radically change our world and our technology if we approach them properly.In order to fully appreciate the power of the Fungi Kingdom, we need to adopt a “mecelial perspective” of the world and its vast interconnections, or what Paul Stamets calls the natural Internet.

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References

Deacon, Jim. Fungal Biology. Oxford: Blackwell. 2006.Lincoff, Gary H. Field Guide to North American Mushrooms.

New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 1981.Mycotechnology. <http://www.fungi.com/mycotech/index.html>.Stamets, Paul and J.S. Chilton. A Practical Guide to Growing Mushrooms at Home. Olympia: Agarikon Press. 1983.Stamets, Paul. Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press. 2000.Stamets, Paul. Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press. 2005.Shroomery. Mushroom Growers Forum. 3.25.2010. <http://www.shroomery.org/4/Grow-Mushrooms>.