Symbiotic Structures 2020
Symbiotic Structures: investigating the intersections of lichens><furniture is a body of work first exhibitied at the Gail Floether-Stienhilber Art Gallery at the University of Wisconsin (Oshkosh) in February-June 2020.
Symbiotic Structures presents the first artifacts of a collaborative dialogue between Eriksmoen and Dr. Anne Pringle, the Letters & Science Mary Herman Rubinstein Professor of Botany and Bacteriology. Dr Pringle’s current research on fungi and lichens includes investigating how lichens—unique symbiotic associations between a fungi and an algae— are established, reproduce, grow, and individuate. In a month-long Windgate fellowship at the UW-Madison Art Department’s Wood Program, Eriksmoen applied the question “What would lichens do?” as she re-configured found furniture components into new objects. Exploring the unique behaviors and morphologies of lichens has enabled Eriksmoen to develop alternative approaches to woodworking and contemporary craft practice. Eriksmoen's practice demonstrates the possibility for art to provide an alternate lens and means of participating in discourses on environmental and scientific issues.
The fellowship and exhibition were supported by funding from Australian National University School of Art & Design, UW-Madison Art Department Wood Program, UW-Oshkosh Art Department, Reeve Union at UW.