RHIZA

RHIZA

RHIZA

Rhiza is an interspecies connector that invites you to become part of the communication between her mycelium and oyster mushrooms. The oyster mushrooms and the mycelium in the tower continuously exchange biodata through electrical signals. These electrical signals are picked up by the biosensors and translated into vibrations that you can feel by standing with your bare feet on the mycelium floor-pads.

Rhiza emerged as an aspiration to enable human beings to transgress their own species and connect with otherness in a multiplicity by experiencing their connectedness. The visitor will experience the so-called mycorrhiza on the level of perceptive and physiological. A mycorrhiza is a form of cohabitation between roots and fungi. In Rhiza, which means roots, the visitors are integrated into the human-mycelium-mushroom interface by means of their own roots. Their bare feet and by means of that the biggest organ of a human to sense the outer world in other words; our skin is connected with the mycelium’s oscillations which are produced by electrical resistance. This hybrid sensation of electric resistance and pulse is then transferred back to the human body via tactile sensory impulses. Such symbiotic connections are an embodied way to integrate human beings into the network of their environment by means of their kinesthetic empathies.
Rhiza is inspired by the interaction within mycorrhizal networks. This underground network of fungal connections exchange not only back and forth between fungus and one plant, but also between neighbouring plants, using fungi as a thoroughfare. As the fungal threads spread they create webs known as ‘common mycorrhizal networks'. Through these networks, plants and fungus can exchange sugars, nutrients, water and more. These shared mycorrhizal networks embody the most basic principle of ecology: that of the relationship between organisms. I am intrigued by the recognition, understanding of and interaction with other species. Within this installation, I am researching the possibilities in order to create an empathic relationship between humans and non-humans. Rhiza aims to create an awareness of being part of a bigger network. Namely, a way for humans to be aware of the communication and sharing of information outside of the human realm. As I mentioned before “the human being” is no longer the center but as of a comprehensive and complex system. COVID-19 has highlighted once again that we need to start living in coexistence and symbiosis with natural landscapes rather than dominating or exploiting them as is common in many western societies. What impacts nature also impacts us humans.
Through my work, I would like to offer space to reflect and experience what these kinds of emergent systems entail. With Rhiza I like to create space to think, feel and experience what it means to be part of the complex network we live in and that we can also listen to other systems instead of taking them over. Since the profound restrictions imposed by the pandemic on social interactions and physical movement are causing a shift to the online domain also when it comes to arts, education and research. That is precisely why I think it is necessary to start re-examining our essential relationships with the material and embodied world we live in.
Experiencing the complexity of the mycorrhizal network with their subtle blend of cooperation and conflict can be seen as a metaphor for how we relate with each other, and our own social systems. Just like human society, this society is characterized by variety, with its capacity to help and to hinder, to cooperate and to exploit. Nature is built on connections, and so are we.

Rhiza is an interspecies connector that invites you to become part of the communication between her mycelium and oyster mushrooms. The oyster mushrooms and the mycelium in the tower continuously exchange biodata through electrical signals. These electrical signals are picked up by the biosensors and translated into vibrations that you can feel by standing with your bare feet on the mycelium floor-pads.

Rhiza emerged as an aspiration to enable human beings to transgress their own species and connect with otherness in a multiplicity by experiencing their connectedness. The visitor will experience the so-called mycorrhiza on the level of perceptive and physiological. A mycorrhiza is a form of cohabitation between roots and fungi. In Rhiza, which means roots, the visitors are integrated into the human-mycelium-mushroom interface by means of their own roots. Their bare feet and by means of that the biggest organ of a human to sense the outer world in other words; our skin is connected with the mycelium’s oscillations which are produced by electrical resistance. This hybrid sensation of electric resistance and pulse is then transferred back to the human body via tactile sensory impulses. Such symbiotic connections are an embodied way to integrate human beings into the network of their environment by means of their kinesthetic empathies.
Rhiza is inspired by the interaction within mycorrhizal networks. This underground network of fungal connections exchange not only back and forth between fungus and one plant, but also between neighbouring plants, using fungi as a thoroughfare. As the fungal threads spread they create webs known as ‘common mycorrhizal networks'. Through these networks, plants and fungus can exchange sugars, nutrients, water and more. These shared mycorrhizal networks embody the most basic principle of ecology: that of the relationship between organisms. I am intrigued by the recognition, understanding of and interaction with other species. Within this installation, I am researching the possibilities in order to create an empathic relationship between humans and non-humans. Rhiza aims to create an awareness of being part of a bigger network. Namely, a way for humans to be aware of the communication and sharing of information outside of the human realm. As I mentioned before “the human being” is no longer the center but as of a comprehensive and complex system. COVID-19 has highlighted once again that we need to start living in coexistence and symbiosis with natural landscapes rather than dominating or exploiting them as is common in many western societies. What impacts nature also impacts us humans.
Through my work, I would like to offer space to reflect and experience what these kinds of emergent systems entail. With Rhiza I like to create space to think, feel and experience what it means to be part of the complex network we live in and that we can also listen to other systems instead of taking them over. Since the profound restrictions imposed by the pandemic on social interactions and physical movement are causing a shift to the online domain also when it comes to arts, education and research. That is precisely why I think it is necessary to start re-examining our essential relationships with the material and embodied world we live in.
Experiencing the complexity of the mycorrhizal network with their subtle blend of cooperation and conflict can be seen as a metaphor for how we relate with each other, and our own social systems. Just like human society, this society is characterized by variety, with its capacity to help and to hinder, to cooperate and to exploit. Nature is built on connections, and so are we.

4 transparent acrylic segments 20x20x50, filled with pink oystermushroom mycelium.
Total size of the work: 20x20x220
3 floorpads from wood with on top dried mycelium
4 esps32
2 amplifiers
3 bass shakers
2 bio sensors

Technical
Space: 6 - 8m2
Light: Daylight
Electricity: 2 sockets
1 block/bench to hide the electronics and to sit on in order to take off your shoes.

Space: 6 - 8m2
Light: Daylight
Electricity: 2 sockets
1 block/bench to hide the electronics and to sit on in order to take off your shoes.
4 transparent acrylic segments 20x20x50, filled with pink oystermushroom mycelium.
Total: 20x20x220
3 floorpads (43cm) from wood with on top dried mycelium
4 esps32
2 amplifiers
3 bass shakers
2 biosensors

https://ars.electronica.art/newdigitaldeal/de/interface-cultures/

https://vimeo.com/610036748

www.stenfertkroese.com

As an artist, I aim to understand and create conditions for art, nature, technology and science to create meaningful encounters and interactions. I am also driven by creating a deeper understanding of what these collaborations bring to society, to tackle global challenges, but also how they affect those who take part. Especially now during this pandemic, it is necessary to redefine and investigate our entanglement with the material and embodied world.

The human being has different ways of acquiring and exchanging knowledge, verbal language is often the preferred way of exchange. However, verbal thinking and speaking is not the only complex way of thinking in the human brain. Embodied artistic research and installations can further our understanding of different ways of knowing by engaging with neural networks in multiple modalities and on different processing levels.

The rapid intensification and development of both scientific and technological progress are shaping our world at an unprecedented speed. In a world with a somewhat disturbing political, social and ecological situation, I have a great fascination for the present and the future. Now that technology and the consequences of our impact on this earth penetrate deeper into our lives, it is difficult to see humans as purely autonomous beings. In my opinion, it is important to no longer see “the human being” as the center, but as part of a comprehensive and complex system. This system consists of humans, fauna, flora, funga but also matter and the non-human. Through my work, I would like to offer space to reflect and experience what these systems entail. We are part of a complex system that is not defined by a clear beginning or end, but peculiarly enough is constantly in motion. How do we relate to that? How can we ensure that this awareness does not lead to fatalism and despair, but encourages us to continue to experience, reflect, think and act. I do not think there is a direct and clear answer. Hence the reason why I am searching for space to ask and experience questions to relate to this moving, uncontrollable network of people, animals, plants, fungus, objects, streams of data among others.

The beauty of us humans is that we are able to have an embodied experience before we can consciously think about it. It is not without reason that we as human beings search constantly for stimuli to get information from our senses. This sensibility helps us to connect in order to participate interactively in the world. Senses will not passively wait for new information, but will always be open and looking with receptivity to the world around them. By using our natural curiosity from the senses I try to create embodied interactions to experience what the non-human world has to tell and learn us when it comes to creating a society.