SEMINAR – Café Champignon

Café Champignon: The Ecology, Conservation and Aesthetics of Fungi 

Following in the French tradition of Café Philosophique, Café Champignon brings the curiosities of the Kingdom Fungi into active conversation. In this interactive lecture, Alison prompts us to consider the ‘fungal awakening’, but also to ask whether the hyphae are keeping pace with the hype.

The intersections of science and art offer tremendous possibilities to communicate the complexities and conundrums of the Kingdom. Fungi have found their way into the public imagination but is it time to disentangle the alluring notion of the Wood Wide Web to ensure the stories are underpinned by science? Might we ask whether these newly minted metaphors are really doing fungi any favours?

With such a groundswell of public interest in fungi, tremendous opportunities exist to work across disciplines to ensure ecologically sound conservation that provides the best possibility for fungi and forests to flourish. Alison will share some of her experiences from the field working with foragers and foresters, farmers and First Nations people, scientists, artists and others to explore the challenges of understanding and conserving fungi through multiple lenses. In particular, we’ll explore how we might navigate the tensions between ecology, aesthetics and conservation.

Alison’s recent books, Mushroom Day and Funga Obscura will be available for purchase at the event.