GMU:BioArt WS15/Trina Ukmata

Let’s put it this way:

You see a mushroom someplace. What you are seeing is only the 1/20 part of the whole organism. Channeled under its body, just under the ground, are its roots – the so-called mycelium. Made up of its filamentous strands, mycelium is the stabilizer of the ecosystem.

Long story short:

When it comes to the life on our planet, mycelium is indispensable.

Inspiration

Paul Stamets’ idea [1] on the mycological rescue of our planet is indeed an eye-opener. It provokes new alternative ways to perceive the organism, which nowadays is mainly used as nothing more than a nutritive indulgence.

Starting from the renowned "big things have small beginnings", I decided to use the powers of mother nature itself, in order to spare her from the toxic materials, namely plastic. So why not come up with something that it's as handy to me, as it's friendly to the nature?! Win-win situation.

MYCOWRITER

PROCEDURE

I) Straw-Mycelium bond

II) Pen-like form

• Note: Water-sprayed, since it prevents the material from drying out during the growth.

III) Cellophane-wrapping

• The plastic stimulates the molding process while keeping the myco-material moist during its growth period. It also reduces the risk of contamination from other bacteria.

IV) Let-it-grow phase

after 12 days of growth

• The mycelium colonizes the agricultral product, since it grows by consuming carbon-rich materials (in this case: the straw).

True, my personal reduction of the plastic usage is no bigger than a 15 cm long material, but small steps people... small steps, to a bio-based future.