Dandelions and Mushroom: Ecological Practices is a Transdisciplinary Studio. The class explores the ecological in creative and cultural practices. Taking its model from the ecosystems of dandelions and mushrooms (healing networks,) this course investigates the intelligence and strategies of plants, practicalities and philosophies of ecological knowledges, relationships to pollution and colonialism, issues of environmental justice, and the significance of lifecycles in how we create, produce, live and consume in the world.
Students engage in experiments tending plants, using their hands, and building individual and group projects. The use of sustainable materials, including recycled or repurposed materials, is emphasized. Through field trips to important sites such as the Salton Sea, water and land restoration projects, landfills, and gardens, students explore ecosystems of Southern California, which are as varied as they are imperfect, complicated, even unjust, and yet connected. Guest speakers help us investigate how to build reciprocal roles with the environment. This class asks students to consider their engagement with living and non-living matter as it relates to healing both the planet and ourselves.