Unit 1
🔘 Gallery 🔘 Inspiration 🔘 Research 🔘 Process 🔘 Magazine
Research
--- The Mushroom Myth
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In my research, I discovered mushrooms' profound and captivating history in folklore and mythology. Within European culture, mushrooms are intricately linked to the realm of magic, notably manifested through phenomena like fairy rings, which serve as gateways to enchanted realms. In Slavic folklore, reverence for the red-and-white amanita muscaria, associated with the ancient deity Veles, imparts a sense of magical uniqueness to my AI fungal fairies.
The myth of psychoactive mushrooms, such as psilocybin-containing varieties, playing a significant role in religious ceremonies among indigenous peoples in Central and South America inspired the integration of digital technology with mushrooms in my creative process, aiming to evoke a sacred experience.
The medicinal traditions of mushrooms in Native American cultures, particularly the powerful properties of the Amanita muscaria, are embedded in herbal practices, contributing herbal elements to my artwork. The symbolic resonance of mushrooms representing life, death, and rebirth aligns with their portrayal in my creation, capturing the aesthetic beauty of life cycles.
The mysterious magic in Europe endows mushrooms with a sense of wonder and mystique, especially in connection with mythical beings like fairies and elves. The imagery of fairy rings holds a prominent place in European folklore. The Slavic cultural representation of mushroom deities, such as the red and white Amanita muscaria, linked to the ancient god Veles, is a unique artistic element that inspires my AI fungal fairies.
Psychoactive mushrooms play a crucial role in the religious ceremonies of indigenous peoples in Central and South America, perhaps sparking my concept of integrating digital technology with mushrooms to create a sacred experience.
The herbal traditions in Native American cultures, particularly the medicinal use of fly agaric mushrooms, contribute herbal elements to my creation. Mushrooms as symbols of life, death, and rebirth resonate, influencing my portrayal of mushrooms and presenting the beauty of the life cycle.
The amalgamation of these cultural elements makes the artwork "MycoDea" creatively technically advanced and imbued with profound cultural significance, allowing the audience to immerse themselves in a multi-layered artistic expression.
Kate Greenaway Antique Children's Print 1906 - Fairy Art -The Elf Ring - Young Girl surrouded by Woodland Elves - Toadstools-Ready to Frame
--- ARTIST ---
The artwork "Synthetic Garden" by Karen Margolis significantly impacted my creative process. Witnessing her skillful utilization of repurposed things to promote renewal, The artwork "Synthetic Garden" by Karen Margolis greatly impacted my creative process. Her proficient utilization of repurposed things to promote renewal prompted me to consider integrating organic and synthetic components into my artistic endeavors. Her pioneering method of creating a garden with repurposed goods sparked my interest in experimenting with nontraditional materials.
Drawing from Margolis's innovative techniques, I conducted a series of trials using different materials to achieve a harmonious blend of natural and artificial elements. I modelled natural processes, particularly the decomposition of fungi that break down organic material, to guide my exploration. I utilised recycled plastic foam boards to imitate the impact of nature and manifest a concrete embodiment in my work.