The Mushroom Event
The Mushroom Event celebrates the interconnectedness of life. The humble mushroom belongs to the Fungi Kingdom, a huge and fascinating kingdom with over 15 000 species in the UK. They live on land, in the water, in the air, and even in and on plants and animals. They vary widely in size and form, from the microscopically small to the largest organisms on Earth (up to several square miles large). Fungi connect life with death, allow regeneration from decay, serving the environment and maintaining its delicate balance.
As a nation, we traditionally mistrust fungi. Our fears are amplified by old tales and folklore, coupled with their unearthly habits. They grow deep in the woods – in dark and damp places – and they seemingly magically appear on the dead or dying remains of other organisms. They often look bizarre and freakish, sometimes even resembling body parts from ears and brains to unmentionable others!
Yet, humans have utilised the versatile mushroom for thousands of years – for food, for medicine, for technology. The Mushroom Event is a celebration of the relationship between humans and fungi, and through them, our relationship with the environment we inhabit.
The event begins at 11:00am with a welcome drink and gallery walk exhibiting three visual artists: SIIGART, KIMPIFFY, and ELECTRIC SHEEP STUDIO. In Camilla’s [SIIGART] first public exhibition, she goes ‘back to basics’ utilising pencil work to explore depth perception and a theme of biomorphism through intricate portraiture. Kim [KIMPIFFY] entices a hyperreal dimension with bold and busy mixed-media collage, aiming to reinstate archaic wisdom now obscured by our technological era. Paul [ELECTRIC SHEEP STUDIO] invites the dark and mysterious with a futuristic fantasy theme. Named after the book by Philip K Dick which gave rise to the bladerunner films, Paul takes great inspiration from sci-fi, moulding metal and resin into solemn characters with an ominous quality.
Our three artists will be on hand to discuss their work – please do engage with them throughout.
At 11:45 there is a choice of activities, one remaining in the Hall for a talk with Joshua Renicks, Microbiologist, Mycologist and mushroom farmer. Josh shares his passion at festivals and public events across the country, teaching cultivation classes to children and adults alike. At TME, Josh will talk about his experience growing a variety of gourmet mushrooms and his work in supplying restauranteurs and local communities. The second group will venture out into The Stiperstones and South Shropshire Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, to forage local mushrooms, accompanied by local enthusiast and resident of the village, Siobhan Reedy.
A leisurely lunch will taken at 1:30pm until 3pm, an opportunity to share experiences whilst enjoying a selection of mushroom based dishes lovingly prepared by local cook and village resident, Sara Conde.
Following lunch, we make our way across the road to the pub and embark on a musical journey with resident DJ B0YG1RL_ who will perform a deep listening set from 3.30pm to 5pm. MixiD#777 invokes the mage’s number, an esoteric symbol of magick and chance: this set incorporates ethnic motifs through a contemporary vision designed to engulf the audience in hypnotic sounds. Taking us into the night, we present a dynamic duo, The RoJ LiGht and Scarecrow. Two good friends, both based in Dublin, come together to sing you an impressive range of traditional Irish folk music – guaranteed to provide a cosy atmosphere, they might just have you humming your way back home!
The event will finish at 8pm but rest assured the pub remains open deep into the night for discussion and reflections on the day.
Book your tickets here or see Darren in the pub.