Mythical Mushrooms Hybrid Perspectives on Transcendental Matters

Abstract

This paper focuses on the author’s artistic practice. She has cultivated a series of evocative sculptural works out of lingzhi fungus by designing a controlled, human environment that, over time, gives way to an organic process. This hybrid bio-art experiment relies as much on science as it does on fate. Lingzhi holds cultural significance in Chinese culture and is called “the mushroom of immortality.” Yan’s works juxtapose Chinese mythology with contemporary culture to highlight environmental and social issues; her investigations with lingzhi mushrooms delve into the meaning of spirituality and metamorphosis and explore questions about being and becoming, art and nature, art and science, nature and existence.