FormArte - a research through artistic practices at the interface of oddity and accuracy with the slime mould, physarum polycephalum
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School of Arts, Design and Architecture |
Master's thesis
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Date
2024
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Mcode
Degree programme
Taiteen ja median maisteriohjelma
Language
en
Pages
122
Series
Abstract
Today, scientists are investigating myxomycetes biodiversity globally, focusing on slime moulds like Physarum Polycephalum (P.P.) to explore intelligence origins and alternatives. This micro- organism is central to the FormArte project, which aims to contribute to developing decentralised systems in our society and foster collaborative networks inspired by slime mould behaviour. This art practice gets fed by biological processes and scientific methods to allow for oddities between art and science. According to the motto "experience allowed“, this work visualises research through the lens of the contradiction of oddity and accuracy, leaning onto the foraging growth of P.P. The project's goal is to merge the experienced practices with ecological perspectives wishing to contribute to creative process-based works in academia and our daily lives. It emphasises the combination of performance, lab experiments, and non-human caretaking, examining the unique and precise behaviours of P.P. to create later a participative format. The research, conducted over three and a half years, culminated in a participatory exhibition showcasing the 'blobbing' method coined by me. This method became its name due to the received feedback while sharing about the process and the characteristics of the Blob. Additionally, the Feed-Back Lab format supports experimental research into human and non- human interactions, promoting experiential learning over theoretical evaluations in contemporary art. My background in design and arts, coupled with emerging scientific methods, allowed me to contribute to discussions on interspecies interactions and bio-diversity. Sharing information and maintaining diverse perspectives is crucial for making informed decisions about our planet and learning from the smallest creatures, like slime moulds. The research also aims to raise awareness about the diversity of P.P. besides fungi, particularly in the Finnish forests. This blend of performance and lab research offers a critical space to reflect on human and non- human interactions and their environmental responsibilities. The project shall encourage diverse persons, be it more scientists, caretakers, artists, designers or curious individuals, let the blobbing discover presences all around the world.Description
Supervisor
Beloff, LauraThesis advisor
Beloff, LauraKeywords
non-human, physarum polycephalum, interspecies encounter, oddity, participative exhibition, experience, experimental, performance