MYCOPHILIA
Interactive Installation Art
Mycophilia is an interactive installation that mimics the mycelium network and uses it as a metaphor to indicate how human beings can share information and distribute resources more efficiently.
The mycelium network system among fungus communicate with each other about resources and needs. They help distribute nutritions the plants need within the eco system. Waste of resource is a huge problem human beings are facing. There is a big opportunity where we can learn from the fungus in order to design a more efficient communication system. “Mycophilia” is a project that utilized serial communication between processing, Leap Motion, Projection Mapping and the Arduino, to form an experience that takes the users to a journey of appreciating the beauty of the mycelium network.
Prototype Process
Inspirations for concept development:
The book “Mycophilia” by Eugenia Bone
Living Mycelium (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mycelium)
Radialab Podcast “From Tree to Shining Tree” (http://www.radiolab.org/story/from-tree-to-shining-tree/)
After the play testing, I decided to use Leap Motion instead of Kinect or distance sensors for capturing user’s interaction.
I am new to processing. However, since it is the primary language that most people use to control Leap Motion graphics, I choose to challenge myself with this new language. With variables including “hand”, “finger” and “bones”, Leap Motion allows me to play with 20 points of each hand.
