Case Study: Joe’s Table
Joe Cermenaro is current DAAP ID Grad whose capstone project also focused on mycelium. Our interests started in similar places and throughout our projects we maintained open communication, sharing techniques, resources, and ideas on mycelium. As well as a designer, Joe is an excellent woodworker. His project had clearer object outcomes than Mycopedia’s and focused on entwining his woodworking and mycology practices.
Joe searched for an exemplary object showing how the waste-streams of woodworker could work as a resouce for growing mushrooms and mycelium. He used sawdust and wood shavings as a substrate to grow tiles of mycelium. The ultimate goal was to create an experiential dinning experience, where the waste from producing a table could become nutrients for mushrooms for the attendees to harvest, cook, and enjoy eating.
Along the way, Joe found a context for this table by partnering with the Great Parks of Hamiliton County. Following the experiential dinner, the table and mycelium would be donated to Glenwood Gardens. He designed and planned an exhibit shown in Glendwood’s Visitor Center as an educational showcase of mycelium. Mycopedia greatly admires this outreach and public showcasing of mycelium, and supplied several of our tests and artifacts for the exhibit.
