MycoDea — Jenny Jih portfolio

_Body. of.Work

{ MycoDea }Jenny Jih, Sanji Yang, Pocoyo (2023)

found objects, natural materials, moving images, video projection, bare conductive touchboard

exhibition record film

‘MycoDea’ is a mixed-media, techno-religious installation artwork collaboratively created by me, Sanji Yang, and Pocoyo, serving as the outcome for Unit 1 and presented in open studio show. This immersive installation delves into the realms of beliefs, fantasies, symbiosis, and the sensory experiences inspired by the mystical fungal world. ‘MycoDea’ is a coined compound term, blending the prefix ‘myco-’ from mycology with the Latin word ‘dea,’ signifying goddess or divine. The work incorporates multiple layers intricately woven together, with the physical installation crafted from recycled objects and natural materials collected from the woodland.

PART I _
‘MycoDea’ takes on the experimental task of digitally preserving found mushrooms, bestowing upon them a virtual immortality. Drawing research from rich folklore and ancient mushroom rituals, the four AI fungal fairies emerge as divine guides, chanting poetry of wisdom from mycelium and the natural world, and lead participants through a contemplative ritual. The three-channel film is projected onto the eroded foam boards, mimicking the decomposing traits of fungi. Animated mycelium moving images are also projected onto the installation as well as transparent drapes, adding another layer to enhance the atmospheric effect.

PART II _
The interactive bare conductive touch board becomes a conduit for playful connections between humans and the non-human entities. As participants touch different mushrooms, it evokes field recording sounds from the woodland, weaving imaginary mycelial languages. This invites participants to engage in a sensorial dialogue with the living artwork.

“I have come to the conclusion that much can be learned about music by devoting oneself to the mushroom.”
—John Cage, 1954

MycoDea, 2023, exhibition view

MycoDea, 2023, three-channel video, 02:43

MycoDea, 2023, three-channel video, 02:43 (sceenshot)

MycoDea, 2023, bare conductive touch board

MycoDea, 2023, bare conductive touch board interaction