This is the latest final draft for my Parson's Hybrid Worlds class, focused on developing a DIY fungi zine.

1. Mycotechnology
the fungal frontier
chris crews
PhD student | Political Theory
New School for Social Research

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Abstract
This project seeks to introduce mycotechnology to a larger
audience through a fusion of art, theory and application.
The basic outline for this proposal involves growing,
documenting and illustrating—in the form of a DIY zine—the
basic process and steps of mushrooms cultivation and
production in the home.
By fusing photos, illustrations, philosophic reflections and step-
by-step instructions, an easy to use guide for anyone interested
in trying this at home can be produced and freely distributed.

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Concept
Show how urban ecology using mushrooms (mycotechnology) can
help to divert waste materials from trash and recycling.
Demonstrate a simple growing process that anyone can reproduce.
Explore the multiple interfaces of mushrooms into our daily lives:
art, science, medicine, food, ecology, spirituality.
Produce a visually engaging medium to learn about mushrooms.

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Social Context
We eat mushrooms, use them for medicine, experiment with
them in labs, ingest them for ritual and spiritual purposes, and
honor them in word and image.
Fungi also inspire a wide range of art pieces, educational
projects and do-it-yourself (DIY) experimentation.
Stunt Kid – Mushrooms & maggots Ecological Education Examples of DIY Zines

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Applied Mycotechnology
Mycotechnology is an emerging field which focuses on
ecological restoration, often tied in with the ideas of
permaculture. Some mycotechnology examples include:
Mycorestoration: Using mushrooms to rebuild depleted soils,
break down industrial toxins and support natural ecosystems.
Mycoforestry: Using mushrooms to rebuild forest soils, stop
erosion and soil slippage, and establish symbiotic soil networks.
Mycoremediation: Using mushrooms to rebuild soil mass,
nutrient networks and re-establish an optimal soil structure.

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Mushrooms – As Easy as ABC
It doesn't matter if it is an old laundry basket, a mini greenhouse
or just a plate on the kitchen counter, growing mushrooms indoors
is fun, easy and even helps the environment.

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From Waste to Art
This project involved three main stages:
1) Substrate and Materials Setup
➢ Collecting cardboard/paper, coffee grounds and burlap
➢ Ordering mushroom spawn and lab supplies
Paper waste Used coffee grounds Recycled cardboard

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Fungi Inspiration
2) Growing and Design Process
➢ Sketches for sculpture and timeline for spawning/fruiting
➢ Mushroom spawning in various stages
Experimental sketches Early yellow oyster growth Harvesting and documenting

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The Rebirth of Waste
3) Fruiting and Hybridization
➢ Initiating mushroom pinning and fruiting
➢ Merging living mushrooms and created art together
+ =
DIY fungi zine

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Conclusion
Mushrooms are a fascinating species, in part, because of how
little we understand about them in relation to their proliferation
around the world. Whether in art or food, medicine or ritual,
forest decomposition or toxic waste recovery, mushrooms find a
way to thrive and multiply in almost any environment.
The many benefits which mycotechnology can provide, as well
as the many new uses still being developed and studied,
suggests that mushrooms have great potential for education.
In order to fully appreciate the power of the Fungi Kingdom, we
need an easy way to engage with, and learn about them. My
DIY Fungi aims to provide a fun and easy way to do just that.

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References
Deacon, Jim. Fungal Biology. Oxford: Blackwell. 2006.
Lincoff, Gary H. Field Guide to North American Mushrooms.
New York: Alfred A. Knopf. 1981.
Mycotechnology. <http://www.fungi.com/mycotech/index.html>.
Stamets, Paul and J.S. Chilton. A Practical Guide to Growing
Mushrooms at Home. Olympia: Agarikon Press. 1983.
Stamets, Paul. Growing Gourmet and Medicinal Mushrooms.
Berkeley: Ten Speed Press. 2000.
Stamets, Paul. Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help
Save the World. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press. 2005.
Shroomery. Mushroom Growers Forum. 3.25.2010.
<http://www.shroomery.org/4/Grow-Mushrooms>.