Mycelial Acoustics:
a macromediation solution to an acoustic ecological problem
Spawned from the field of Mycoremediation, the practice of using fungi to remove pollutants from the environment, Mycelial Acoustics focuses on the sonic environment, referred to by some as Acoustic Ecology, a term coined by R. Murray Shaffer in the late 1960's.
Working with forms to fabricate simple, inch-thick, mycelial panels, acoustic wall treatment or sculptural forms can be created.
How to make your own mycelial acoustic panel:
Step 1:
Gather the materials.
Grain Spawn:
This is a bag of grain which has been inoculated with the spores of the type of mycelium or mushroom you want to grow. We are using oyster mushrooms aka Pleurotus ostreatus. You can order it from suppliers but it needs to be kept refrigerated and free from open air (bacteria). This is important.
This is a bag of grain which has been inoculated with the spores of the type of mycelium or mushroom you want to grow. We are using oyster mushrooms aka Pleurotus ostreatus. You can order it from suppliers but it needs to be kept refrigerated and free from open air (bacteria). This is important.
Coffee Chaff:
It's very a lightweight and fluffy agricultural byproduct of roasting coffee. Your local roastery will have bags on hand from their roasting process that you can pick up for free. Call them and ask them if you can come pick up a bag. They produce A LOT. Often, gardeners will use it for compost too.
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It's very a lightweight and fluffy agricultural byproduct of roasting coffee. Your local roastery will have bags on hand from their roasting process that you can pick up for free. Call them and ask them if you can come pick up a bag. They produce A LOT. Often, gardeners will use it for compost too.
Pasteurizer & Strainer:
The coffee chaff will need to be pasteurized (not sterilized) by placing it in around 170ºF water for around 20 minutes. Then it will need to have all the water pressed out so that none squeezes out by hand. Above, you will see we are using a large coffee urn for pasteurizing and a converted cider press to squeeze out the water.
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The coffee chaff will need to be pasteurized (not sterilized) by placing it in around 170ºF water for around 20 minutes. Then it will need to have all the water pressed out so that none squeezes out by hand. Above, you will see we are using a large coffee urn for pasteurizing and a converted cider press to squeeze out the water.
Mesh Bags:
For pasteurization, stuff these bags full of the chaff and immerse in the 170ºF water in the coffee urn. These will go in the cider press to be squeezed out after the pasteurization so they need to be durable and porous.
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For pasteurization, stuff these bags full of the chaff and immerse in the 170ºF water in the coffee urn. These will go in the cider press to be squeezed out after the pasteurization so they need to be durable and porous.
Growing Containers & Sterilize:
Because we are creating simple panel forms, we are using plastic trays but really any shape container is ok. The final sculpture will take on the detail of the form and will shrink a bit when dry. Same principles of mould making apply here.
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Because we are creating simple panel forms, we are using plastic trays but really any shape container is ok. The final sculpture will take on the detail of the form and will shrink a bit when dry. Same principles of mould making apply here.
STERILIZE EVERYTHING: wipe everything with 70% alcohol in distilled water, containers, mixing surfaces, your hands, everything. Do not let the grain spawn get sterilized by coming into contact with the alcohol. It will kill the mycelium and will not grow, The alcohol solution will evaporate quickly. Be patient.
Step 2:
Prepare the materials.
After being pressed the chaff will be very compacted and will need to be separated by hand into small fluffy(ish) chunks before being mixed with the spawn.
CAUTION: It should be no surprise that 170F water is HOT.
Once the chaff has been broken up, we've been using a 4 parts chaff : 1 part grain spawn mixture. Dump the grain spawn directly onto the chaff. Be careful not to contaminate the grain spawn. Seriously, don't contaminate it.
I drilled air holes in these trays to allow oxygen to get to the bottom of the mix. Mycelium likes air but also likes humidity so don't let it get to dry.
Step 3:
Fill the forms and wait patiently.
Day 1 - Notice the consistency of the mix of chaff and grain spawn.
Day 8 - Small amount of growth
Day 16 - Lots of coverage. We took these out at this point put I could've let them go for longer.
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PROJECTS:
Oracles
Figure
Ouroborium
Mycelial Acoustics
Parlour
Oracles
Figure
Ouroborium
Mycelial Acoustics
Parlour
︎INSTA ︎SOUND
design by Tyler Tadlock
© copyright 2018 Articulated Works
© copyright 2018 Articulated Works