Mycelium

Mycelium

The mycelium growing was a process of exploring for me. I did not work with anything similar before so I wasn’t sure what would be good as the space to place it, the heat or the mold to put it in. Even though the guide that was very helpful, it did not give me the idea for the mold so I started thinking. The first idea that came to my mind was the water bottle that I use every day. 

The plastic bottles we use daily creates so much waste, so I wanted to see if you can create the same shape with a different material that is very sustainable and doesn’t harm nature. I wanted to observe this process using an object I use every day. So I emptied the bottle, and cut it into half so it would be easier to take it out after the mycelium is fully grown. After cutting it, I cleaned it with the alcohol and taped it so the mycelium would stay in shape. Finally, I poked holes on the water bottle so it would breathe while it is growing in the bottle. 

The second mold I wanted to use was something that is related to the human body. So I decided that I wanted to use a mold that is shaped like the human heart. I found a mold that is actual human heart size and places the mycelium in that after the 5 days of growth. This was a very interesting mold that made me get excited to see the shape it will create. 

This was a very creative and interesting process for me. I really enjoyed the outcome and the forms it created. I believe that mycelium can be used for module making in many different fields. So the waste that is created in these creative fields can decrease. For example, the modules we create in interior design are all made from foam and wood. If we replaced it mycelium, there would be less cost and less waste.  

 

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