Many months ago, in June, I put together this homage to the mushroom. Its wall are made from Ecovative heralded here (earlier post) as a newly-invented substitute for styrofoam. This view is from above.
Ever since I began making objects, people ask me the same question. How long did it take? Whether it was a ceremonial neckpiece or worm composting, I was always at a loss to measure my--or the worms' creative timeline. With the Mushroom Grotto, I answer: a two-day workshop plus a few hours at home.
Shelly Caldwell, Portland Assemblage Artist, was an indefatigble instructor for "Making a Shell Grotto" at Collage, on Alberta Street. She was fine with Ecovative**for the walls rather than styrofoam, patient with my quandries about paints and other new materials--two sizes glue guns a challenge.
The beginning of my grotto, homage to mushroom transformation and possibilities yet unexplored. Size: 13.5 x 10 x 8 inches.
Once finished off with three mushroom prints, where to put it? Near one of Nick Bloom's ceramic clocks. A certain sychronicity in funkiness.
**Last month Ecovative named winner of Buckminster Fuller Institute challenge for bold, innovative socially-responsible design.