Solo exhibition @ Boutwell/Schabrowsky Gallery – Munich, March 8-13, 2022 / Myco-Experience: March 13, 2022
The latest hope of a cycle-based co-existence on Planet Earth is based on the potential of fungi. Fungi neutralise contaminated soil, dispose plastic waste and are the bio-material for architecture, fashion, art and design. Above all, fungi can inspire humans to live together in a cooperative symbiotic way. It is precisely this aspect that Christina Maria Pfeifer made the topic of her artistic research. With her microbiological art project, she pursues an artistic practice in which the focus is not primarily on a human, but on a more-than-human world.
In 2021 she invited the fungal mycelium of the tinder fungus into her studio as an equal agent. She developed a semi-living sculptural group of Platinum Badium in which the mycelium unfolded free from human intentions. The project took place in a transdisciplinary collaboration with Katrin Seiler from #transfungalensemblage and the scientific support of the Pilzwerkstatt Berlin.
What it is like to collaborate with a microbiological organism on an art project? That is the idea behind this exhibition.
An interweaving body froms the group of sculptures called the Platinum Badium. Eight of these sculptures are suspended from the ceiling like hanging plants. They are made of recycled motherboards connected with thermoplastic tubes and foam. As a result, an entangled body emerges that seems to be inspired by a synthetic rainforest of the future. All the more so as during the project the fungal mycelium began to unfold in the sculptures.
A series of infrared photographs documents the appearance and behaviour of the fungus as if they were documents from some other planet.
The fungal mycelium does not form one defined body that can be firmly localised, but rather morphing ones that wander through the sculptural group of Platinum Badium.
Once it emerges, the finest hairs and delicate fur can be seen and the magic and complexity of this living organism, considered to be the largest living organism on earth, are made apparent.
The artist and her collaborative partner, herbalist Katrin Seiler, designed a biopunk dress for their nurturing care and shamanic rituals to support the life of the fungal mycelium.
The overlying microbiological protective clothing was intended to protect the fungi from human traces, fingerprints and dominance.
During their actions, they used the herbal disinfection Thyme Elixir, which Katrin Seiler developed especially for the project.
Christina Maria Pfeifer has created a meditation corner in the entrance hall of the exhibition. Visitors are invited to the Posthuman Exercises, which the artist has designed to detach from athropocentrism.
