THERE’S MUSHROOM FOR COMBAT

Mycelium · around 3" x 2" · Fall 2019

Having the opportunity to work with biomaterials in class, I wanted to create something that highlights the possibilities of using natural materials for everyday materials—reducing or replacing environmentally harmful practices such as leather-making.

Mycelium is the root structure of mushrooms. For this project, I experimented with many different tests on growing mycelium leather, totaling over a month to get to the final result (which still requires more research). I’m currently working on a booklet with all my procedures, thoughts, and concerns. Doing so will allow future students of this class to pick up where I left off, try what I tried, or get inspired to experiment something else and share it with others!

The desire to create a boot spawned solely around the idea of lacing puns into it. It is a combat boot since we need to combat, or fight for a more sustainable future, and exploring natural materials like mycelium is just baby steps.