Mycelium Workshop Series
This was a series of workshops which progressively detailed the process of growing and making mycelium for material use.
From cultivating samples to substrate to final growth, the series allowed participants to create their own mycelium samples.
The workshop was open to the community in Barcelona and had participants from several universities, including IED and IAAC, and creatives working in the Poblenou neighborhood.
So what is mycelium anyway?
Mycelium is the root system of mushrooms which is composed of fine tissues called hyphae. It operates by forming connections with hyphae underground creating mass underground mycelium networks. Research has proven that this also serves as a communication network between other plants and trees and functions to move and distribute nutrients underground between plants.
Mycelium also contains bioactive compounds which support its host plants immune system. Mycelium survives by breaking down substrates- wood, plant matter, and other organic matter and decomposes them using enzymes in order to absorb and utilize these nutrients to feed to the fruiting body of mushrooms. These enzymes create protection for the mycelium and the mushroom. This function makes it a great binder and is why we can consider mycelium as a regenerative material.
What’s also amazing about mycelium is that it can digest toxins making it a great bioremediation tool as well!
Mycelium stands to be one of the best materials we can use to replace plastics and other extractive materials.