AquaFung Workshop - Los Angeles

a hands on mycology workshop building aquatic-bound projects with fungi
led by Phil Ross
LOCATION: OXY ARTS - 4757 York Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90042
DATE: Saturday April 12, 2025
TIME: 10:30 AM - 2 PM
MATERIALS FEE: There is a $25 materials fee for a kit provided to each participant.
Tea, snacks and sounds will be served!
EVENT DETAILS:
OXY ARTS and Open Fung invite you to join us for a deep dive into mycelium’s potential for aquatic applications, while also gaining hands-on experience in creating and making materials made from fungi. The focus on aquatic environments and sustainability will make the workshop relevant and impactful for those interested in applied design for water environments .
To explore the potential of Aqua Fung materials, this hands-on workshop will involve participants in creating mycelium-based prototypes for water-related challenges in the form of either boats, buoys and boards.
Participants will receive information and links to relevant journals, articles, and tools as a follow up to the workshop.
Outline of the Workshop:

• Introduction to Mycelium Materials: Learn about mycelium’s natural properties, sustainability, and potential for use in aquatic applications such as water filtration and erosion control.
• Exploring Aquatic Case Studies: Discover real-world examples of mycelium used for coastal restoration, floating bio-structures, and marine debris solutions.
• Hands-On Mycelium Prototyping: Create your own mycelium-based aquatic structures, experimenting with molds to design floating or water-resistant forms for filtration and habitat restoration.
• Material Enhancements: Learn techniques for reinforcing mycelium with organic materials like straw or coconut fibers to improve water resistance and durability in marine environments.
• Troubleshooting and Adjustments: Analyze and troubleshoot your designs in small groups, working with Phil Ross to address performance issues in water-based applications.
• Sustainability Discussion: Explore the broader environmental impact of mycelium materials in reducing plastic waste, promoting biodiversity, and supporting sustainable coastal infrastructure.
• Networking and Future Applications: Connect with other participants and discuss opportunities for future projects, collaborations, and research in the field of mycelium-based aquatic innovations.
  

Materials Kit Provided to each participant will include:

• Fungal substrate fully grown through with live mycelium
• Mold/form materials to create aquatic structures
• Organic substrates for different applications (e.g., straw, sawdust, coconut fibers)
• Tools for working with fungi
• Safety gear (gloves, masks, etc.)
  

ABOUT OPEN FUNG
Open Fung is a nonprofit organation that builds collective resources for advancing fungi technology, materials and the arts. Open Fung is building the tools, knowledge, and networks to position fungi as a utility—helping both humanity and the planet to thrive.

ABOUT OXY ARTS
OXY ARTS is the hub for interdisciplinary arts at Occidental College. This dynamic programming initiative engages the Oxy community in socially conscious dialogue around contemporary arts practices. Our core ambition is to foster meaningful collaborations between the College and surrounding LA arts communities. We're located at our community art space at 4757 York Boulevard. OXY ARTS occupies the ancestral, traditional, and contemporary Lands of the Tongva people.

Host or Publisher Open Fung