The Twelve

Carol Washburn, featuring her piece "1984".

Angel Allen, featuring her piece.

The concept of mushrooms as a form to create with IT-
waste came from my son’s girlfriend, Ashley Brown. I knew
I wanted an organic form to contrast with the material. I
also live in a rainforest microclimate in Western North
Carolina, so the number of fungi is mind blowing. She said
of mushrooms, “they’re intelligent organisms with both
positive and negative aspects to them (ie, they're a vital
piece of our ecosystem but some are dangerously
poisonous).

There is also something a little mysterious and
unknown about them, similar to technology.” I will dig
deeper into the parallels of IT and mushrooms in my artist
statement. While I’m using a particular species as a model,
this is only for reference of form, and I will not be trying to
duplicate only borrowing characteristics from many to
achieve the intended aesthetic.

My goal is to use what I have on hand to create this form.
My substrate will be built from “eco” bricks (recyclables
from my own bin) and the tech waste provided to me. To
build integrity into the structure I will use rebar imbedded
in concrete and to create the subtle curves and shapes,
hardware cloth, fiberglass mesh, cables and thin set. Color,
pattern and texture for the surface will come from, cables,
wires and pieces of computer guts. I expect to be led in
many directions as I embark on the process, and I look
forward to seeing what materializes.

Jamie Blackburn, featuring his piece "Geek Station".