From the Latin “Reticulum”- network, the installation explores the overlap of various networks created by humans, nature (fungi) and machine-made algorithms in time and scale.” Reticulum limina” navigates us through time-lapse created by the software algorithm of the image processing. The threshold changes every 9 points (corresponding with an average of 9 days of mycelium to develop a visible network) culminating in “ Reticulum mycelium”. The way the algorithm choosing specific marks is unknown - a mystery within. Simultaneously, the viewer is encouraged to interact with mycelium growth in real-time through “Reticulum hybrida” first by placing the ear onto the Petri dish, which acts as a mini amplifier. The humming noise emitted through the copper plate is a 220 Hz sine wave broadcasted for the duration of the open hours, hypothesized to assist with growth in living organisms. Here the source is hidden - by moving the dish around on the copper plate and identifying optimal hum volume the viewer is actively participating in the growth of Pleurotus ostreatus. The mycelium is growing on the paper, onto which the map of the urban collecting site of the species is laser etched. For the duration of the show, the “control” in the middle of the piece is anchored and only 3 other Petri dishes are allowed to be moved. The mycelium networks develop over time colliding all elements together into a reticulum. Within 2 weeks the mycelium was over-completed by common green mold, Trichoderma harzianum, which grew in circular patterns responding to the sound stimulation. The dishes were moved by the audience during the open hours except the ‘control’ in the middle, which did not produce any ‘rings’. This project continues to investigate nature and man-made patterns and networks. It raises the questions of care and control and possible collaborations between human and non-human agents towards the formation of the common ground for coexistence.
Reticula investigates complex care-based networks we create through our interactions with nature, in this particular case through sound and with fungi. By interacting with the living organism the audience invents new cartographies and networks together, invisible at first but developing over time. Here the notion of Biophilia Hypothesis is applied to evoke the empathic response through assisting with growth thus establishing the care-connection with the living being. Since the network develops slowly the audience is encouraged to come back 2 weeks later to observe the collective result of invisible human/fungi network collaboration. This art and science project aims to facilitate a dialog on all-inclusive species hybrid spaces that needs to be created in order to establish a paradigm shift in the era of “Climate Change “. "Reticula" serves as an example of how science and technology can act as a possible vehicle for establishing eco-conscious interspecies collaborations.
Reticula, interactive installation, custom made incubator, etched copper plate, sound, intaglio print, laser cut paper, Petri dishes, Trichoderma harzianum, Pleurotus ostreatus, 2019