Join Sasha Fishman and Lera Niemackl in a hands on workshop where participants will be able to sculpt a living dough that will grow into mycelium—the living roots of mushrooms. Unlike traditional methods of growing mycelium in molds, Sasha and Lera have developed a unique technique that allows for hand-sculpting and creative manipulation of this dynamic material. Participants will receive bags of living mycelium dough, a blend of reishi mycelium, clay, and paper pulp, and learn how this material grows into cellulose-based surfaces like wood, paper, and cardboard.
The workshop will begin with a presentation on mycelium and its uses in material development, from sustainable design to innovative construction methods. Participants will then dive into hands-on sculpting, creating forms that can be taken home to grow or kept as they are. This workshop offers a chance to rethink our relationship with living materials and explore the potential of mycelium as a medium for a wide range of applications.