I have been fascinated by mushrooms for a long time. Whether for culinary reasons or their magical attributes, with the fleshy spore-bearing fruiting body of a fungus, mushrooms are typically produced above ground, on soil, or as their food source. For centuries, mushrooms have been used for potential healing benefits and medicinal purposes, particularly in traditional Chinese and other Asian cultures. While research on the healing properties of mushrooms is ongoing, some studies have found that certain species may possess various health benefits. It's imperative to note that not all mushrooms are edible or beneficial, and some can be toxic. Mushrooms play a vital role in the ecosystem due to their unique characteristics and functions. But why are they so important in our daily lives, and why have many creative practitioners been referencing mushrooms as a symbol and metaphor in their work? How can mushrooms really change and make a positive impact on our lives? Is it all hype?
Recent studies of mycelium1 – the web-like, vegetative structure from which mushrooms flower – have confirmed its ability to send and receive communication between fungi, trees and other plants, a decentralised form of thinking without using a central brain. Respectively, fungi have become the metaphor of choice for technologists to encapsulate new modes of thinking, collaboration and communication. Many theoreticians and practitioners have covered various aspects of mushrooms, such as identification, cultivation, culinary uses, medicinal properties, and ecological importance. The pseudonymous inventor of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto, was allegedly a mycologist, and the decentralised design of the digital currency resembles mycelium in code.2 The book "Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World" by Paul Stamets (2005) explores the potential of mushrooms to address environmental issues, such as pollution and deforestation, and their importance in ecological systems. The publication "Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures" by Merlin Sheldrake (2020) provides an engaging and comprehensive look at the world of fungi, including their biology, ecological significance and their impact on human culture and society. "The Mushroom at the End of the World: On the Possibility of Life in Capitalist Ruins" book by Anna Lowenhaupt Tsing (2015) uses the matsutake mushroom as a lens to explore themes of ecology, economy, and human relationships in the context of the Anthropocene.
Contemporary mycology is best depicted in earlier technologically dystopian sci-fi novels such as William Gibson’s Neuromancer (1984) and films like Blade Runner (1982). In July 2020, Francesca Gavin curated the group exhibition ‘Mushrooms: The Art, Design and Future of Fungi’3 at Somerset House in London, which featured work by established names known for their love of fungi, such as John Cage, Beatrix Potter and Cy Twombly, as well as a central focus on contemporary artists and designers who were inspired by the philosophical possibility of fungi or mycelium as a material for everything from bricks to clothing. For the exhibition, Jody Hudson-Powell and Luke Powell of the design studio Pentagram and Rosie Emery of Counterpoint Studio developed a generative typeface, Hypha, using algorithms based on mycelial growth. Like mushrooms themselves, the font changes unpredictably, illustrating how fungi can be both an aesthetic and a methodology for rethinking how images and objects can form and grow. All of the references above provide a wealth of information on mushrooms and their many uses, both practical and philosophical. They offer a starting point for anyone interested in learning more about the fascinating world of fungi.
Mushroom as a metaphor and symbol has been used widely in contemporary art, especially to explore themes of impermanence, transformation, and the interconnectedness of living beings. The German artist known for his large-scale installations and interactive artworks, Höller has a background in biology and a significant interest in mushrooms. In his work "Giant Psycho Tank" (2004), he created a sensory deprivation tank shaped like a fly agaric mushroom (Amanita muscaria), a species known for its hallucinogenic properties. He has also created installations featuring oversized mushrooms and other fungi-inspired artworks.4 The Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama - known for her signature polka dots, has incorporated mushrooms in her sculptures, installations, and paintings. Her works often feature phallic-like mushrooms, which can be interpreted as symbols of fertility, growth, and regeneration. The American composer and artist Cage had a deep interest in mycology, the study of fungi. He often incorporated mushrooms into his artwork, and his passion for mycology inspired some of his avant-garde musical compositions. Fun fact: he also co-founded the New York Mycological Society in 1962. The painter, sculptor, and photographer Cy Twombly occasionally incorporated mushrooms into his artwork. His "Mushroom Paintings" series, created in the 1960s and 1970s, features abstract compositions with mushroom-like forms, suggesting themes of growth and decay.
During my visit to Istanbul last week, I saw visual artist Lara Ögel’s solo exhibition titled Letters to Starry Heavens Above Me and Within Me at Galerist. The exhibition, curated by Naz Cuguoglu, draws from Ögel’s interest in the cosmos and alchemy, fungi, and other similar narratives constantly flowing with her multifaceted practice. The title is taken from a quote on Immanuel Kant’s tombstone, which the artist came across during her research. Similar to the cycle of the mushrooms, from their emergence to their decay, the exhibition symbolises the cycle of life, death and regeneration from the artist’s perspective.
These are just a few examples of visual and multi-disciplinary artists inspired by mushrooms up to date.
https://medium.com/@BrandonQuittem/bitcoin-is-a-social-creature-mushroom-part-2-3-6a05c3abe8f0
https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/whats-on/mushrooms-art-design-and-future-fungi
https://www.fondazioneprada.org/project/carsten-holler-synchro-system/?lang=en