15 February 2020 | New Scientist | 29CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: HAMISH PEARCH, ‘COCHLEA
BRICK TUFT’, COURTESY OF THE ARTIST; AMANDA COBBETT,
‘FUNGI’ © ANDREW MONTGOMERY; SEANA GAVIN, ‘MINDFUL
MUSHROOM’, COURTESY OF THE ARTIST; KRISTEL PETERS,
‘MYCOSCHOEN’, COURTESY OF THE ARTIST
Fabulous fungi
Exhibition Mushrooms: The art,
design and future of fungi
Venue Somerset House, London
THESE curious creations are
in celebration of mushrooms
and other fungi. They are part
of an exhibition highlighting a
growing appreciation of fungi’s
role in everything from boosting
our health and well-being to
reimagining design and providing
sustainable materials.
Immediately left is Fungi by
textile artist Amanda Cobbett.
It may look real, but Cobbett
made it from embroidered papier
mâché. She was inspired by what
she saw in the forest every day
when she was out walking her dog.
At the top left, Cochlea Brick
Tuft by Hamish Pearch showcases
fungi sprouting from a structure
inspired by the inner part of the
human ear.
Below it (smallest image) is
Mindful Mushroom by collage
artist Seana Gavin. It is her nod
to the mind-bending properties
of psilocybin-containing magic
mushrooms. Psilocybin is
being investigated as a possible
treatment for certain mental
health conditions.
Beside it is the amazing
high-heeled shoe Mycoschoen
by Belgian shoe designer Kristel
Peters. She fashioned it from
mycelium, the vegetative part
of a fungus, which is being
touted as a new, sustainable
building material.
The exhibition is at Somerset
House until 26 April. ❚
Gege Li