Mycorrhizal Materialities

Background ‘Mycorrhizal Materialities’ is a research project exploring machine learning (ML) and textiles, using the idea of a mycorrhiza to speculate on mutualistic exchange between human and machine intelligences. Through their networked nature, mycorrhizae offer an interesting, mutualistic metaphor for repositioning these relationships. The mycorrhiza is a lively material, a ‘polyphonic assemblage’ of relations, chemicals and organisms. We can peer under a microscope and examine the interconnected, entangled materialities of plant and fungus as hyphae penetrate roots, becoming essentially impossible to unentangle. If we approached the design and deployment of ML systems through this lens, it would enable us to understand from the outset how biases become entangled within algorithmic decision making. Contribution The work comprises 4 digitally printed and machine embroidered hangings. These are created using GANs trained on my hand drawings of Australian fungi. The generated images are then transposed into digital embroidery designs and stitched using an MB4 machine. I developed processes for generating the databases, training the models and transposing the designs from digital to physical, as well as processes for embroidering large multi panel designs. The conference paper places the project into a conceptual framework and contextualises it with contemporary thinkers like Susan Simard, Donna Harraway and Anna Lowenhaupt-Tsing. Significance Australia Council Grants: 2022: (in part) $10,900 2021: (in part) $14,000 Competitive EOI: 2022: exhibition space and support through City of Melbourne at Assembly Point. Peer-reviewed conference paper: International Symposium of Electronic Art 2023, Paris France Exhibitions: Haus of Vovo 2023 Melbourne Design week 2022