Fungi serve humans as food, medicinal or intoxicating agents; they are sedentary like plants, but cannot photosynthesise. Therefore, they have to feed like animals by ingesting organic substances and digesting them through enzymes. In the kingdom of living things, fungi form a category of their own: they are neither plants (Plantae) nor animals (Animalia), but are related to both. As for us humans, communication and cooperation are essential for their organisation: they often live in symbioses formed via the mycelium – the complex, mostly underground network of fungal filaments from which mushrooms can then sprout above ground. The mycelium distributes vital nutrients in the soil and is also called "nature's glue" because it breaks down decaying material and holds it together. At the same time, it creates connections, giving rise to its own economy: they form the social network between the different organisms.
With an economy that is not only metaphorically based on the model of mushroom cultures – myconomy – the Healing Complex will reopen in March 2023. In addition to its own mushroom cultivation, which visitors can cultivate and harvest, the potential of networks will also be explored. Tokens designed by artist Irena Haiduk will serve as currency on site. To expand the myconomy, these tokens will also be available at the other exhibition venues of Ruhr Ding: Schlaf in Mülheim, Witten and Essen. They can be exchanged at the Healing Complex for workshops or participatory activities, the proceeds of which in turn remain with the participants. This circulating economy creates a network of knowledge exchange and cooperation in which experimentation can take place and through which new, reciprocal links are created.
About the project
Since 3rd June 2022, Urbane Künste Ruhr has been running the project Healing Complex (2018-ongoing) in Gelsenkirchen, initiated by artist Irena Haiduk, modelled on ancient healing sites that combined art and healing. In her artistic practice, Haiduk collaborates with art institutions, which in turn can become economic catalysts for the production of paintings, books, texts, films and scenographies, metallurgy, weavings, architecture and garments, thus stimulating the public's imagination.
At the heart of the project, baking as a universal and unifying element between people and cultures: a central oven was used to create a place for joint work and exchange for interested audiences and local residents.
- Website
The website of the Healing Complex contains information on the idea and history of the place, current and past events, as well as interviews and portraits of artists and participants.
- Tokens
Myconomie is a system designed to provide a unique economic experience. It uses tokens that can be exchanged for goods and activities at the Healing Complex in Gelsenkirchen Erle.
Black tokens are available for free at many Ruhr Ding: Schlaf locations and signal a willingness to help maintain the Healing Complex. On site, the black token can be exchanged for a gold token after your work is done.
Gold tokens can be exchanged for various goods and activities, such as food, mushrooms, games, mycelium objects or taking part in workshops at the Healing Complex, or given to others to redeem.
- Hours
Thu
2pm-6pm
Fri-Sun
11am-6pm
Whit Monday (29.5.23)
closed
- Address
Ehemalige St. Bonifatiuskirche
Cranger Straße 338-342
45891 Gelsenkirchen
Events
Healing Complex: Mycel-Bankett (Workshop II)
Continuation of the workshop from 2.9. Previous participation in the Mycel-Bankett (Workshop I) is a prerequisite for participation in the second workshop.
Healing Complex: Mycel-Bankett (Workshop I)
In this workshop we will work together to make a series of modular tables that come together to form a larger whole. Our partner in the making is the root-like part of mushrooms, the mycelium. We will cultivate the mycelium, shape it and use it as a building material. This process will allow us to observe more closely the relationships between the different organisms. The metaphor of the mycelium network should inspire us: The bigger the network becomes, the bigger the table can be. Our tables will create a mycelium banquet where we will share bread, mushrooms and thoughts about food rituals and sustainable food use.
A workshop always consists of two dates: In the first part we dedicate ourselves to the theory and handling of the material mycelium. Afterwards we will work with it, make moulds for the tables and lay out the substrate. The mycelium will grow in the moulds for 9 days and take shape itself. In the second part of the workshop we will then see the substrate change and make the tables with it.
At the end of the entire workshop series, we will all come together at the self-made tables for a joint "banquet" (probably in mid-September).
Workshop series by and with Ayla Pellicer
Dates (always from 12 pm–4.30 pm):
Saturday, 27.5. and Sunday, 4.6.
Saturday, 12.8. and Sunday, 20.8.
Saturday, 2.9. and Sunday, 10.9.
Participation by registration (via nt@urbanekuensteruhr.de oder +49 170 37 128 78), maximum number of participants: 10 (children from 12 years and adults)
Healing Complex: Mycel-Bankett (Workshop II)
Continuation of the workshop from 12.8. Previous participation in the Mycel-Bankett (Workshop I) is a prerequisite for participation in the second workshop.
Healing Complex: Mycel-Bankett (Workshop I)
In this workshop we will work together to make a series of modular tables that come together to form a larger whole. Our partner in the making is the root-like part of mushrooms, the mycelium. We will cultivate the mycelium, shape it and use it as a building material. This process will allow us to observe more closely the relationships between the different organisms. The metaphor of the mycelium network should inspire us: The bigger the network becomes, the bigger the table can be. Our tables will create a mycelium banquet where we will share bread, mushrooms and thoughts about food rituals and sustainable food use.
A workshop always consists of two dates: In the first part we dedicate ourselves to the theory and handling of the material mycelium. Afterwards we will work with it, make moulds for the tables and lay out the substrate. The mycelium will grow in the moulds for 9 days and take shape itself. In the second part of the workshop we will then see the substrate change and make the tables with it.
At the end of the entire workshop series, we will all come together at the self-made tables for a joint "banquet" (probably in mid-September).
Workshop series by and with Ayla Pellicer
Dates (always from 12 pm–4.30 pm):
Saturday, 12.8. and Sunday, 20.8.
Saturday, 2.9. and Sunday, 10.9.
Participation by registration (via nt@urbanekuensteruhr.de oder +49 170 37 128 78), maximum number of participants: 10 (children from 12 years and adults)
Healing Complex: Mycel-Bankett (Workshop II)
Continuation of the workshop from 27.5. Previous participation in the Mycel-Bankett (Workshop I) is a prerequisite for participation in the second workshop.
Healing Complex: Mycel-Bankett (Workshop I)
In this workshop we will work together to make a series of modular tables that come together to form a larger whole. Our partner in the making is the root-like part of mushrooms, the mycelium. We will cultivate the mycelium, shape it and use it as a building material. This process will allow us to observe more closely the relationships between the different organisms. The metaphor of the mycelium network should inspire us: The bigger the network becomes, the bigger the table can be. Our tables will create a mycelium banquet where we will share bread, mushrooms and thoughts about food rituals and sustainable food use.
A workshop always consists of two dates: In the first part we dedicate ourselves to the theory and handling of the material mycelium. Afterwards we will work with it, make moulds for the tables and lay out the substrate. The mycelium will grow in the moulds for 9 days and take shape itself. In the second part of the workshop we will then see the substrate change and make the tables with it.
At the end of the entire workshop series, we will all come together at the self-made tables for a joint "banquet" (probably in mid-September).
Workshop series by and with Ayla Pellicer
Dates (always from 12 pm–4.30 pm):
Saturday, 27.5. and Sunday, 4.6.
Saturday, 12.8. and Sunday, 20.8.
Saturday, 2.9. and Sunday, 10.9.
Participation by registration (via nt@urbanekuensteruhr.de oder +49 170 37 128 78), maximum number of participants: 10 (children from 12 years and adults)
Healing Complex: Mycel-Bankett
In this workshop we will work together to make a series of modular tables that come together to form a larger whole. Our partner in the making is the root-like part of mushrooms, the mycelium. We will cultivate the mycelium, shape it and use it as a building material. This process will allow us to observe more closely the relationships between the different organisms. The metaphor of the mycelium network should inspire us: The bigger the network becomes, the bigger the table can be. Our tables will create a mycelium banquet where we will share bread, mushrooms and thoughts about food rituals and sustainable food use.
A workshop always consists of two dates: In the first part we dedicate ourselves to the theory and handling of the material mycelium. Afterwards we will work with it, make moulds for the tables and lay out the substrate. The mycelium will grow in the moulds for 9 days and take shape itself. In the second part of the workshop we will then see the substrate change and make the tables with it.
At the end of the entire workshop series, we will all come together at the self-made tables for a joint "banquet" (probably in mid-September).
Workshop series by and with Ayla Pellicer
Dates (always from 12 pm–4.30 pm):
Saturday, 6.5. and Sunday, 14.5. (fully booked)
Saturday, 27.5. and Sunday, 4.6.
Saturday, 12.8. and Sunday, 20.8.
Saturday, 2.9. and Sunday, 10.9.
Participation by registration (via nt@urbanekuensteruhr.de oder +49 170 37 128 78), maximum number of participants: 10 (children from 12 years and adults)
Holiday week for children and teenagers
The Healing Complex is open again and this year we invite you to bake, create and experiment with us. Learn all about the world of mushrooms and create your own games. We look forward to seeing you!
Dates: 11.-14.4.23
Daily from 10am-2pm
For children from 7 years
Registration under
+49 170 37 128 78
nt@urbanekuensteruhr.de
Healing Complex: Re-Opening
On March 25, we will celebrate the reopening of the Healing Complex project initiated by Irena Haiduk with an economy that is not only metaphorically based on the model of mushroom cultures - the myconomy - and cordially invite you to learn more about the cosmos of mushrooms. Starting at 3 pm, visitors will be able to harvest mushrooms themselves. In the afternoon, artist and performer Margo Zālīte invites you to a mushroom tea ceremony followed by a sound performance. Admission is free.
Programme
3 pm: Welcome by Britta Peters, Artistic Director Urbane Künste Ruhr
3.30 pm: The world of mushrooms, introduction to the topic of mushrooms and mushroom cultivation by Clara Schmidt (myko:nect)
4.30 pm: Tea ceremony to the sound of mushrooms fwith Margo Zalite
6 pm: Performance MUSHROOM NANO OPERA by singer Burçin Keskin
From 3pm throughout: Mushroom harvest / DIY workshop
