MYCELIUM
In the dismantled world of Covid-19, where sanity teetered on the edge of fear and loneliness, I sought solace in the unlikeliest of places - the bog.
Here, amidst the soft, yielding ground of peat and the chorus of nature's whispers, I found refuge from the suffocating grip of social anxiety. With its alien allure, the bog offered an escape from the sterile confines of urban life.
In the midst of a pandemic defined by germaphobia, I found beauty in the microbial world that thrived around me. Amidst the wild ferns and the symphony of rustling leaves, I delved into the mysteries of fungi, letting the microscope reveal worlds within worlds.
While others turned to sourdough and Netflix, I became a devotee of the fungal kingdom, tracing mycelial pathways and uncovering the hidden stories of nature's silent architects.
"Enter the Twilight," a visual ode to the bog, is the overture to my journey. It paints the bog as a repository of history, a beacon of hope amidst the gloom, and a font of inspiration in the solitude of lockdown.
I began fascinated by the microbial world and how it is both the giver and taker of life, in some delusional way it became a religous motif for me.
As I fell deep into the fascination of the microbial world I began to develop mould on objects researching how the inhabited space, simultaneously I was growing, cultivating and experimenting with a selection of grey oysters, pink oysters and lion’s mane.
As an artist, I have the freedom to not always follow exact science, preferring instead to dance on the edges of imagination. My purpose lies not in birthing novelty but in resurrecting forgotten wisdom, weaving it into the fabric of my creations. I researched scientific papers and amateur accounts of the importance of fungi in native cultures.
I embarked on a quest similar to how an alchemist sets out to turn lead into gold, by trying to mutate mushrooms into something more enduring, more tangible. My first experiment led me to mix sawdust and fungal spores, birthing a substance similar to plastic, a material both foreign and familiar.
However one April day, as sunlight danced upon my front lawn and the symphony of birdsong filled the air, I found myself asking; What melody does a mushroom sing?
Utilizing my synthesized soundscape compositions, derived from the nuanced melodies of mushrooms, I embarked on a creative endeavour to evoke the essence of fungal ecosystems. My explorations culminated in a series of ambient noise compilations, each imbued with the ethereal harmonies of fungal life.
In conceptualizing the migration patterns of fungi, I endeavoured to encapsulate their essence within auditory form. However, amidst this pursuit, a realization dawned upon me: fungi defy the generational repetitiveness inherent in avian flight. Rather, they emerge as fundamental denizens of our biosphere, comprising an ancient subterranean network poised to outlast the Anthropocene epoch. This realization prompted a profound reevaluation of their significance as agents of ecological resilience, portending their pivotal role in postulating a new paradigm amidst the collapse of prevailing ontological frameworks.
"Mycelium Trip" emerges as an animated exposition borne from the confluence of my research and contemplative inquiries. It unfolds across three distinct segments, each delineating profound thematic explorations.
The initial segment portrays an expansive tableau, elucidating the intricate mechanics underpinning fungal ecosystems. Herein, the film elucidates the genesis of life and the symbiotic relationships that engender growth within this verdant realm.
Transitioning into the second segment, the narrative pivots to contemplate the semblance of consciousness inherent in human cognition. It celebrates the sublime beauty encapsulated within our capacity for introspection, intimacy, and creative expression. Yet, a sombre undertone pervades as humanity confronts the stark realization of its diminutive place within the cosmic tapestry, precipitating a schism within consciousness: the bifurcation of ego and identity.
The final act of the film serves as a poignant denouement, juxtaposing the humble origins of fungi with the impending twilight of human civilization. As the clock of demise inches towards midnight, a titanic fungal entity emerges, casting an ominous yet resplendent spectacle across the firmament. Symbolizing both terror and transcendence, this celestial apparition heralds a profound metamorphosis, wherein the detritus of capitalist hegemony fertilizes the seeds of a nascent ecosystem nurtured by the resilient tendrils of mycelium. Though steeped in nihilistic contemplation, the film proffers a glimmer of hope amidst the ruins, envisioning a cyclical narrative of rebirth and ecological renewal.
Dòigh Nàdair
Dòigh Nàdair, derived from the Gaelic lexicon, signifies the "Way of Nature" or "Nature Way." My artistic endeavors within this project involve the application of ancient alchemical methodologies, specifically in the extraction of chlorophyll. This creative pursuit is intricately linked to my larger undertaking, the Mycelium Project, serving as a conduit to forge a profound communion with the natural world.
Resulting from this practice is a series of prints meticulously crafted to encapsulate the evocative landscapes of County Meath, Ireland, traversed during the course of my research. These visual compositions function as repositories of enchantment, unveiling the latent grandeur concealed within the intricate tapestry of nature's manifestations.
Grounded in the conceptual framework of the Anthropocene, an epoch delineated by humanity's pronounced impact on Earth's geological and ecological systems, my artistic expression seeks to evoke a palpable sense of reverence and introspection. Each organic artwork serves as a testament to the epochal shifts wrought by human agency, suffused with a pervasive spiritual resonance.
Drawing inspiration from the metaphorical construct of the 'Hortus conclusus' - the enclosed garden - I employ a deliberate juxtaposition of organic materials ensnared within man-made substrates, thereby crafting a visual metaphor emblematic of the delicate interplay between human intervention and the innate fecundity of nature. In homage to the botanical archives of the Willibaldsburg Castle's garden, I endeavor to establish a poignant parallel between the artistic tradition of 'florilegium' and the untamed splendor of the natural world.
Furthermore, my creative impetus is imbued with the lyrical sensibilities of W.B. Yeats, whose poetic oeuvre serves as a wellspring of inspiration. Informed by Yeats's verse and catalyzed by the introspective journey chronicled in the video "Into the Twilight," I embark on an expedition through the wild expanse of Meath's landscapes, seeking to unravel the veiled echoes of Celtic heritage reverberating amidst its verdant terrain. This undertaking serves as a complementary narrative thread, intertwining past, present, and future within the overarching conceptual framework centered around the multifaceted concept of mycelium.
SENTINEL-2.
Throughout the project, I have constructed a sequence of compositions utilizing natural elements integrated with Arduino and synthesizers. Serving as a locus for exploratory endeavours aimed at fostering future conceptual developments, I embarked on a trajectory of employing artificial intelligence to manipulate the musical output, resulting in warped landscapes symbolizing the concealed mycelium structures pervasive within our environment.
