Sweet Dreams, 2021

Black walnut, wild hazelnut, assorted wood shavings, fungal pigments — Chlorociboria spp. & Scytalidium cuboideum

Inspiration

The inspiration for this piece resides in childhood memories. I wanted to create a piece that captured the imagination and vivid curiosity with which kids experience the world around them. As we age, many of us lose sight of our inner child. Designed to be an interactive piece, the intent is to confront that expected maturation and encourage a return to the curiosity of youth.

Materials & Design

The "waffle cone" in this design is created from a piece of black walnut with substantial live edge across the rim. The ice cream scoops and shavings (representing melted ice cream) were created from wild hazelnut, which provide a creamy vanilla color and smooth texture for which to color with fungal pigments. There were two fungal pigments (red & blue/green) applied in this project. These pigments came from the Oregon State University Applied Mycology Laboratory which conducts spalting research, overseen by Dr. Robinson.

Interactive Art

So often art in a gallery setting is reserved and intended to be viewed from suitable distance and certainly not to be touched.

In this environment, art in galleries mimics much of the adult experience. Cut off from one another, in our own lanes of life and examined by those around us. Scrutinized even. Evaluated for our worth to them and society.

In contrast, Sweet Dreams was created to initiate a dialogue about the lively roots of art, bringing a dash of intentional impracticality to our rigid schedules and life of deadlines. Let loose & spill some shavings!