Art inspired by pioneering research on mycelia at VUB

The Whitehouse Gallery in Brussels this week opens a unique exhibition of work by artist Isabel Fredeus, which innovatively merges science and art. The exhibition is the result of a year-long collaboration between Fredeus and Elise Elsacker of the microbiology research group at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB). Central to the exhibition is the use of mycelia - the network of fungal threads that act as the "roots" of mushrooms - in artistic creations.

Fredeus, known for her works in glass and ceramics, began her experiments with mycelium about a year ago in the VUB laboratory. Under Elsacker’s guidance, she conducted several tests to integrate mycelia into her sculptures. ...