Mind the Fungi

Mind the Fungi is a collaboration between the TU Berlin Institute for Biotechnology and Art Laboratory Berlin, combining scientific research, citizen science and artist and designer residencies-in-lab. The project researches innovative uses for biomaterials produced from tree fungi. Researchers at TU Berlin create new materials from natural sources. How and what you grow the materials on defines its qualities. For this topic Art Laboratory Berlin brings together artists, designers, scientists and the public to share knowledge and experience new forms of creativity through exhibitions, talks and workshops.

The exhibition shows how we have cultivated various tree fungi with different media (i.e. on substrate such as sawdust), and produced biomaterials with different shapes, structures and qualities. Some current examples range from mycelium bricks to ‘vegan leather’ and other design products. Videos and slide shows document the Art Science project “Mind the Fungi”, introduce the individual team members and provide a deeper insight into the creative world of an interdisciplinary work process.

Regine Rapp & Christian de Lutz (curators)

Mind the Fungi exhibition, Mycelium objects from mushroom cultivation workshop, Futurium, 2019, photo: Tim Deussen

Mind the Fungi exhibition, Fungal material, Futurium, 2019, photo: Tim Deussen

Mind the Fungi exhibition, Fungal material from Department of Applied and Molecular Microbiology TU Berlin, 2019, photo: Tim Deussen

Mind the Fungi exhibition, Fungal material by designer Nina Fabert ZVNDER, Futurium, 2019, photo: Tim Deussen

Mind the Fungi exhibition, visitors at the opening day of Futurium, 5 September 2019, photo: Art Laboratory Berlin

Mind the Fungi exhibition, Futurium, 2019, photo: Tim Deussen