Housed in a geodesic dome within Hobart’s Goods Shed, The Mush Room hosts a terrarium alive with growing mushrooms. The fungi respond to light and sound, creating electrical impulses to communicate with each other. Bio-electrical sensors are delicately attached to the mushrooms and their mycelium network, capturing their signals and translating them into a live ecological soundscape projected within the dome.
For wearers of the Mona Foma x EPØKHE sunglasses, another level of mushroom magic will be revealed. The unique polarised lenses unveil hidden imagery displayed on LCD screens hung on the walls of the dome. Like the soundscape, the trippy visuals are also generated by the mushrooms growing within.
The Mush Room uses upcycled electronics—procured from universities, curbsides and online marketplaces and otherwise destined for e-waste—to produce the installation. The diverse range of fungi featured in the space were grown and sourced by local Tasmanian operator, Forest Fungi.
Brain Ritchie, Artistic Director, Mona Foma, says: ‘Composer John Cage said: I have come to the conclusion that much can be learned about music by devoting oneself to the mushroom.’
‘Can’t really argue with that! Whether it is food, psychedelia, or their ambiguous role in the world of living things (not really animals or plants), wherever you look there’s a fungus among us. And why not look with limited edition EPØKHE shades? I will be.’
Designed locally by Mona Foma Artistic Director and Violent Femmes bassist Brian Ritchie and pro-surfer and EPØKHE founder Dion Agius—two dudes who are serious about sunglasses—the Mona Foma x EPØKHE collaboration glasses are readymade for festival fun. Based on EPØKHE’s ever-popular ‘SZEX’ model, the Mona Foma x EPØKHE sunnies feature bio-acetate black frames with gold detailing, polarised lenses in a sunrise gradient and come with a specially designed chromatic case and cleaning cloth.
The Mona Foma x EPØKHE Limited Edition Polarised Sunglasses retail for $250 and are available online, at the festival merchandise tent on the Mona Lawns and from the boot of Dion’s own silver Daewoo at the Goods Shed. To purchase your pair visit: epokhe.monafoma.net.au
The Mush Room was created by the Glue Society, an award-winning independent creative collective based in Sydney. For more information on The Mush Room visit: mofo.net.au/program/mona-foma-
Following a weekend of live music, art, dance and theatre in Launceston, Mona Foma 2022 continues in venues around Hobart from Friday 28–Sunday 30 January. The Mush Room is free and is open to both those donning the limited edition Mona Foma x EPØKHE sunglasses and regular festival-goers. For once it really is cool to wear your sunnies inside.
For more information on the Mona Foma 2022 program please visit: mofo.net.au
Mona Foma x EPØKHE + The Glue Society present: The Mush Room
11.00am – 5.00pm
Friday 28 January – Sunday 30 January
Free
The Goods Shed, 41 Evans St, nipaluna / Hobart
