Exploring visual iterations of “networks” I have been researching biotextiles, particularly mycelium structures, grown for artistic creative practice (Snoad 2020), although there are the ethics of manipulating organic form to consider. In reference to fungi, it has been suggested that I research psychedelic philosopher Terrance McKenna (Lamb 2021). First, I do not drink alcohol or take mind or mood-altering drugs (prescribed or otherwise). Second, after a precursory look into McKenna, I believe it is fair to state that even if I did use drugs and alcohol, his writing appears (at first glance) to be drug-addled nonsense and another conversation that I am not willing to be part of. My brief research into biotextiles applied methods in creative practice has led to two topics that have no interest to me and have decided to let go of the concept entirely.
Mycelium Lace, Design & Living Systems Lab, Carole Collet, 2015 (Ræbild et al. 2018)
Faber Futures | Void, Natsai Audrey Chieza in collaboration with Ginkgo Bioworks, exhibited at Hubweek, Boston, 2017 (Ræbild et al. 2018)
Keywords
Development of practice, DOP, MFA, Studio 1, Biotextiles, Biotechnology, Posthumanism, Transhumanism, Terrance McKenna, Mycelium, Fungi
Bibliography
Collet, Carole. 2021. "Biotextiles: Making Textiles In A Context Of Climate And Biodiversity Emergency". Materials Experience 2, 207-226. doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-819244-3.00029-6.
Lamb, Robert. 2021. "The Stoned Ape Hypothesis: Did Magic Mushrooms Influence Human Evolution?". Howstuffworks. https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/evolution/stoned-ape-hypothesis.htm.
Ræbild, Ulla & Piper, Anna & Nimkulrat, Nithikul. 2018. Soft Landing.
Snoad, Laura. 2022. "8 Makers Using Biodesign To Grow Their Work". Crafts Council. https://www.craftscouncil.org.uk/stories/8-makers-using-biodesign-grow-their-work.
Thacker, Eugene. 2003. “Data Made Flesh: Biotechnology and the Discourse of the Posthuman.” Cultural Critique, no. 53: 72–97. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1354625.