Hidden Threads: A Contemporary Exploration of Fungi and Mycelial Thinking

Abstract

Hidden Threads: a contemporary exploration of fungi and mycelial thinking presents an engaging, ecologically informed exhibition featuring nine unique contemporary artworks spanning installation, sculpture, sound art, science, photography, painting and animation. The title draws on research around fungi and mycelium networks, aiming to bring this lesser-known area of ecology into the Dundee Botanic Gardens through the eyes of interdisciplinary artists. The exhibition will not only be a site to view art, but also to educate, encourage discussions around fungi and their relation to wider ecology issues, and to bring to the community of Dundee a new way to connect with the non-human world through artistic expression. In the first chapter of this paper, I discuss my curatorial thesis around ideas of mycelial connections and fungi’s potentials for the future. In chapter two, I provide critical analysis of the artworks with reference to the thesis. In chapter three, I explore the curatorial decisions made for the exhibition, such as my choice of venue and environmental art. Lastly, chapter four examines additional ideas from a range of sources that influenced the exhibition.