From the Ground / Lost in Synthetic
Exploring the Interaction Between Ecology, Culture, and CapitalismImmersive Short Film
Technical Support by Wendy Li
Royal College of Art From the Ground / Lost in Synthetic is an immersive short film, exploring the interaction between ecology, culture, and capitalism. Through Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum), to tells a story of how things are torn from their lifeworlds to become objects of exchange in the commercialisation logic of capitalism. Lingzhi mushrooms have transitioned from being ancient, mysterious, and elusive herbs to products mass-produced in agricultural greenhouses. They have severed from the natural world and further evolved into various commodities traded within the supply chain.
Based on modern contexts, the project rewrites myths, evoking a critical reflection on materials/species and the understanding that a (bio)material is never just a material. It has a spirit and is, or has been, alive. It's part of larger ecosystems, bodies, histories, cultures, and traditions. Blending traditional narratives with modern contents. Nature, synthetic and mass production combine in this re-imagining of the traditional Chinese myth of a white snake looking for the magic reishi mushroom. But in the end she lost in the mass production. The audience will switch perspectives through different characters, embarking on a magical journey to find the lingzhi mushroom. However, they will ultimately become lost amidst a plethora of mass production, detached from nature and culture
Premieres and exhibited at Outernet London 2024
