WORK IN PROGRESS

2022 - Mycelium Running Project

#experimental-drawing #drawing #art-and-biology #DeepLearning #mycelium

In this experimental drawing project, I’m working with mycelium as a living breathing structure, connective and communicative (Stamets). Trying to visualize the communication, activity and interactivity, as well, and in stunning admiration, the robustness of cooperation within the biological matrix of an “old growth” forest.

The project starts with creating semi-enclosed terrarium pods that, with a variety of plants, substrate, mycelium and other biological components, tries to emulate a section of stable forest. The goal for the pods is to develop a section of the forest that is at once emergent, decomposing and regenerative. 

As the pods mature, I intend to use a variety of active and passive sensors (temp, CO2, humidity, electrodes from openEEG) to read any and all electrical impulses, measuring for any sign of contrast and change. Looking for signs in and between the various types of mycelium, plant roots, decomposing woods and leaf litter, and any groups of bio-organisms that are working to make this “forest floor” active.

The eventual plan is to see if any visual patterning can be mapped to these chemical/electrical impulses and to see those impulses as visual communications. Not just the plants talking, but the entire forest section. To get deeper into the visualizations, and keep it from becoming an overly simplistic “pie chart” data visualization, I’ll be looking at both referencing, layering and deepening the chosen visual representations as they are mapped.

As much as possible, I’ll be trying to get the electrical communications to match up to a gestural and expressive mark of human visual perception - color, line, texture, shape, etc. I plan to try a lot of different methods to see if and how the forest communicates. From AI deep-learning, Processing/P5.js, to Process Art, rules-based drawings (think Sol Lewit’s “Wall Drawings”), to a set of variegated and poetic expressionistic work (think Agnes Martin or Brice Marden), I’ll be trying a number of different methodologies to see if I can understand the discussions better. I’m secretly hoping that the entire interactive pod reveals a much different POV, more external, collaborative, perceptual. One that would be an apt or coherent way of understanding its particular communications. I’m assuming the visual part of this project - the drawing - will take many different shapes and continue to change/refine as the project proceeds.

In the end, I'm hoping that the Mycelium shows me how to draw.

A lot of these explorations are new to me. Especially the Bio and the Tech. I’d be open, happy and grateful to welcome discussion about any aspect of this work. Are you exploring something art and/or biology related? Love to learn about what you are doing. No doubt that something unique and fruitful is related in our experiments. Say Hi!