ART at open fung
Open Fung makes our science accessible by bringing artists into the center of our research and scientific work. We outwardly share our support of cultural work through residencies, publishing, learning opportunities and events. We’ll host events and online conversations to develop a broader engagement and develop a community as we establish our arts platform. This process accelerates our innovation and cultivates a broader understanding of fungi’s importance for the world.
Creative collaboration and engagement with our scientific research builds understanding, creates meaning and connects a broad constituency of people that are interested in the future of fungi. We value the cultural impact of curiosity in material driven learning and critical thinking, values that are important to both art and science as a way of knowing.
We believe that artists and art will be central in growing the stories, ideas and meaning and will facilitate interaction with fungi.
Program AREAS
- Events and Programs: Public programs such as workshops, conversations, experiences and interactive sessions will blend art and creativity with scientific exploration with the goal of engaging audiences and developing new ideas.
- Short Residencies: This program allows us to more deeply engage with artists through short-term collaborations. Artists will spend time with Open Fung with the goal of thinking, exploring and working together. We’ll present programs and events to the public to build connections. These public activities and exchanges are the first step towards a longer engagement, creating connections and forming a network of involvement.
- Publishing: Open Fung's publishing program takes the form of an online and editioned print publication that investigates research, knowledge and ideas across science, art, technology and beyond. It reflects the ethos of Open Fung and extends our scientific research, arts programming and global network through creative writing, criticism, poetry, journalism, scientific research papers, video, art, audio and more. We aim to connect the disciplines we are engaged with and amplify people and ideas whose voices contribute to a diverse culture.
FOCUS 2025: AQUAFUNG
In 2025, Open Fung will launch an annual series of thematic projects and programs. Our first focus will be Aquafung. Aquafung explores the ways that fungi and water come together. It goes beyond growing a boat of surfboard out of fungi and into the worlds of mycofiltration, biomaterials grown for protected or indigenous lands, marine drones, buoys, floatation devices and more. This focus contains a multitude of stories and allows us to explore and investigate ecology and nature as well as the material possibilities of fungi. ICONOLOGIES
Open Fung’s infographic series on how we are working to open fungal utility. See the Inconology series here.