tech
January 8, 2026
Fungi: Anarchist Designers review
Nieuwe Instituut, RotterdamThey have poisoned emperors, taken over insect brains and survived atomic bombs. This Dantean journey through fungal hell is riveting – though frogs may disagree
TL;DR
- The exhibition 'Fungi: Anarchist Designers' uses artistic installations to explore fungi's pervasive and powerful influence.
- Fungi are presented as 'anarchist designers' and 'co-designers of the world,' capable of spreading, evolving, and annihilating.
- The exhibition details how fungi thrive on decay, reproduce rapidly, and impact ecosystems, agriculture, and human health.
- Examples include the basket stinkhorn's reproduction, the death cap mushroom's toxicity, and fungal diseases affecting crops and amphibians.
- The show also touches upon fungi's role in decomposition and regeneration, questioning architectural permanence and exploring interdependence with the natural world.
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