Mycofabricated bag

Inspired by scientific research carried out at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle on mycelium, the vegetative apparatus of fungi and certain filamentous bacteria composed of a set of more or less branched filaments (hyphae) present in the soil or nutrient substrate, the “Mycofabricated bag” explores the ecological potential of the encounter between biofabrication, 3D printing and leather goods. It proposes a vision of a world in which objects such as bags grow thanks to new skills of excellence connected to Life. Filaments of mycelium grow along stakes made of a three-dimensionally printed nutrient substrate to form the desired object. In this way, the bag is cultivated, creating a robust, biocompatible material that offers a local, sustainable alternative to animal-sourced leather.

This artifact was designed in partnership with the Institut des Futurs Souhaitables as part of the Sensory Odyssey exhibition, presented at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle (MNHN) in Paris. The aim of this exhibition is to explore the world through the senses. With this in mind, the Big Bang Project agency came up with three fictitious innovations inspired by the remarkable properties observed in certain organisms from the environments explored by visitors to the exhibition, as well as ongoing scientific research, to propose a desirable vision of a world built on the principle of bio-inspiration.

The Mycofabricated bag was exhibited at the Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle in Paris from October 2021 to July 2022.