ARTIST BOOK
Mycorrhizae
Mycorrhizae explores connectivity and loss from a philosophical and ecological perspective through an examination of mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhizae are necessary symbiotic associations between fungi and plant roots that allow for nutrient and information exchange. I use papermaking as a performative medium for meditating on the deep significance of the invisible, underground networks of roots and mycelium that connect beneath the forest floor.
Research for this project took place in the Cohutta Wilderness in the mountains of North Georgia. Mycorrhizae is a collaboration between Jillian Sico and ecologist Katie Beidler, who wrote the text for the informational pamphlet. All of the paper for the edition was made by hand. Some of the linen was retted under a tulip poplar tree in the Cohutta for two months and pigmented with a small amount of charcoal from the base of the same burnt-out tree. See more of my papermaking process.
Letterpress-printed artist book, edition of 22. Type and images are from photopolymer plates. The forest scene is printed from wood veneer. Artist book text & images by Jillian Sico. Informational pamphlet text by Katie Beidler. Spring 2020.
5.4in x 10in
Materials: Linen/flax paper with charcoal, tree-retted linen paper, bleached flax paper, Alabama kozo paper with watermarks, recycled paper with chanterelle mushroom spores, recycled paper with polypore mushrooms, thread, board, Duo bookcloth
