Immigrants

A lichen scanned in 3d in Japan arrived in Israel with us(in collaboration with Ori Ben Zvi).

Lichens are a symbiotic partnership of two separate organisms, a fungus and an alga. In this unique association, the fungus provides the housing that supports the algae and/or cyanobacteria. In return, the algae photosynthesize and provide the fungus with essential sugars. They are very sensitive to their environment, reacting both to the type of forest they inhabit and the quality of the surrounding air and water.


Lichen grows slower than what we are able to experience therefore using digital media triggered us to give it a new life cycle and growth patterns. In nature Lichen cling on tree bark and rocks, they are common In Japan woods as in many other places and together with moss form an enchanting atmosphere.

The bench presents a still moment of growth and contemplation.
We formed a hybrid of local Cupressus with a traditional Japanese technique called Shou Sugi-Ban which uses fire to sill the tree from moisture.

On the burnt bench we projected a digital fast growing lichen. This new form of existence enabled the lichen to “survive” over time without sun or nourishment. As such it migrates and invades new places appearing as a hybrid digital lichen that continues to evolve in the course of the exhibition upon the charred wood that supports it,

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2020
Commissioned by: The Tel Aviv Crafts and Design Biennale, Eretz Israel Museum 

Collaborator: Ori Ben Zvi