Mycorrhizal Networks or How I Hack Plant Conversations

Toolkit, tutorial, manual, 2016-2019
In collaboration with Martin Howse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPVzXOyXDow
Mycorrhizal Networks or How I Hack Plant Conversations. Video tutorial.
Mycorrhizal Networks or How I Hack Plant Conversations. Video performance.

In this project, I introduce the idea of interaction between elements of different kinds, which includes transport of information passed during the interaction process. In one case, the interaction appears in a natural environment where fungi act as an interface between the interacting plants; in the other case, I introduce an electronic interface between organic elements and a computer to translate chemical activity into digital information, and vice versa. The idea of intermediary interfaces is that, while passing information, they act as proxy servers, being able to change the information that is passed and send it further to the target destination. The idea is represented within a kit that includes diverse organic and inorganic elements, along with tools to execute the experiments described.

The experimentation is supported by a video tutorial and a manual, both available in the toolkit.

The work is part of the Introduction to Posthuman Aesthetics work series.

I would like to express my gratitude to Martin Howse who kindly contributed with experiments involving electronics and collaborated in the production of the video tutorial. The project was kindly supported by the Nordic Culture Point and by the Lithuanian Council for Culture.

Related Media

Mycorrhizal Networks or How I Hack Plant Conversations. Toolkit. Photo: Brigita Kasperaitė.
Mycorrhizal Networks or How I Hack Plant Conversations. Tools. Photo: Brigita Kasperaitė.
Kit in use during the Ars Electronica festival in Linz. Photo: Silke Kalvelage.
Video tutorial of the kit. Ars Electronica festival in Linz. Photo: Silke Kalvelage.
Installation at the Piksel festival in Bergen.