Mycelium - Gail Alderson

Context

Mycelium are branching, thread-like hyphae that form the root systems of mushrooms. These web-like structures spread across substrates like compost and soil to search for nutrients necessary for the development of a fruiting body. This organism is incredibly intelligent: not only can it sense and navigate around objects, but it can communicate with other organisms in the ecosystem.

I was inspired by the responsive behavior and aesthetic form of mycelium, which led me to create this very fancy night light.

underground mycelium — fig. 1underground mycelium

mycelium w/ mushrooms — fig. 2mycelium w/ mushrooms

mycelium branches — fig. 3mycelium branches

Approach

materials

Gallery cradled board (24" x 24")
White gesso
Gloss varnish
Electrical tape
An alarming amount of hot glue
LED light strip (50 bulbs, WS2811)
Circuit building materials (jumper wires, 100uF capacitor, 330 ohm resistor, breadboard, push button)
Arduino Uno
Ultrasonic proximity sensor
Motion tracking sensor

early sketches — fig. 4early sketches

concept sketch — fig. 5concept sketch

interaction sketch — fig. 6interaction sketch

Making

Create design — sketch ideas, pick direction, prototype optical bundles
Prepare the frame — map holes, drill, sand, paint, finish wood
Program the lights — create circuit, program Arduino, attach sensors
Create the hyphae — prototype, hot glue, secure bundles to LEDs
Put it all together — poke hyphae through board

hyphae design — fig. 7hyphae design

building hyphaes — fig. 8building hyphaes

finished hyphaes (pre-attachment) — fig. 9finished hyphaes (pre-attachment)

prototyping hyphae mapping — fig. 10prototyping hyphae mapping

finished mapping on foam board — fig. 11finished mapping on foam board

circuit design — fig. 12circuit design

testing light emittance — fig. 13testing light emittance

finished hyphaes (post-attachment) — fig. 14finished hyphaes (post-attachment)

drilled holes in box — fig. 15drilled holes in box

poking hyphae through box — fig. 16poking hyphae through box

Outcome

fig. 17mycelium, sensing and responding