Mycelium as a sustainable and functional biomaterial

Fraunhofer WKI in the Wissenschaftsschaufenster: The colorful world of fungi

Press information /

From 18 to 20 March 2026, the Fraunhofer WKI will be presenting the first interim results of the “LuminousNetworks” project at the Wissenschaftsschaufenster Braunschweig (Science Showcase Braunschweig, located at Waisenhausdamm 8). “LuminousNetworks” focuses the spotlight on fungal mycelium as a material. As a sustainable and functional resource, mycelium has already become a game-changer in the development of biomaterials. Through the works of artist Malte Taffner, who is involved in the project, the fungi now shine in a completely new kind of light.

The photo shows the glow of the mycelium of a Ganoderma sp. under UV light.
© Malte Taffner
The project partners utilize shelf fungi from the Ganoderma spp. family, shown here glowing on agar in a petri dish under UV light.
The photo shows a fluorescent sculpture under UV light: Torso of Dionysus of Salamis from the Fitzwilliam Museum.
© Malte Taffner
First test of a mycelium-based fluorescent sculpture under UV light: Torso of Dionysus of Salamis from the Fitzwilliam Museum.

In the “LuminousNetworks” project, funded by the Fraunhofer “Science, Art and Design” network, a special form of cooperation between art and science is being created. “We want to introduce the fascinating possibilities of mycelium-based materials to a broad public. The visual artist Malte Taffner uses our technological know-how to create sculptures from wood residues and living mycelium – colorfully iridescent and with a natural protective shield,” reported Dr. Henrik-Alexander Christ, Project Manager at the Fraunhofer WKI.

In his artistic exploration, Malte Taffner links technological innovations with current issues with regard to diversity and protection as survival strategies in nature and for social communities. While Taffner’s works are oriented towards the iconography of Greek mythology, they simultaneously deconstruct and modernize it. This is achieved through the distinctive materiality and coloration of the fungal family of shelf fungi (Ganoderma spp.), cultivated on wood residues. “I use the special features of the fungal mycelium for my installations in order to aesthetically expand human concepts of protection, cooperation and diversity with regard to body and gender images,” explained Taffner.

The exhibition focuses on a special feature of these fungi: fluorescence, which is made visible by UV light, thereby enabling the mycelium to glow in vibrant colors. This effect is otherwise invisible to the human eye. “The fascinating play of colors transforms as the mycelium develops. With the aid of black light on site as well as photographs and video recordings, we want to bring this dazzling world closer to the guests of the Science Showcase,” explained Dr. Christ.

Within the framework of a workshop prior to the event, Dr. Christ and Malte Taffner worked together with the participants to create sculptures from mycelium-based materials. The participants thereby artistically explored fungal mycelium as a living material and, at the same time, reflected upon power structures as well as role models and body images. The objects created during this process will also be on display in the Science Showcase.

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