Mounting Mycelium.

[Justintime]

Here's a good one! A customer wants to bring in a large piece of mycelium to be mounted into a tray frame. It's approx 1400x800.
To answer a few questions:
"Mycelium are the thin root-like fibres from fungi which run underneath the ground, when dried it can be used as a super strong, water, mould and fire resistant building material that can be grown into specific forms, thus reducing the processing requirements...
Mycelium has already been used in a variety of forms on a smaller scale, such as packaging, with companies such as IKEA and Dell using it as an alternative to polystyrene which takes decades to naturally break down and poses great difficulty when trying to recycle it. Mycelium packaging is created by using organic waste which is then cleaned and combined with mycelium which then will grow around the waste, sending out roots and fibres which digest the materials. It is then broken up and put into moulds, a solid form is then grown which then can be used in a variety of ways. Much like wooden furniture indoors it will be strong and sturdy whilst inside, but will break down after being overly exposed outside."
Or here's the link if anyone's overly interested:
https://www.certifiedenergy.com.au/emer ... quirements.

My question based on the fact that it is hygroscopic and yet water resistant when dried (and this piece is dried) and about 25mm thick, can I use PVA to adhere some small wood blocks to the back, to screw into to secure it to the tray frame? Any thoughts or alternatives?

[Justintime]

Haha no surprise that there's no input on this one! I've been scratching my head for 24 hours but fortunately the design studio decided to experiment and fit it themselves. They'd love to have done it all themselves, but having ordered their chop from Lions they realised they had no clue how to join it .

[JFeig]

Justin, I have been waiting for someone else to kick into the conversation first.

I would guess that this is for a business / academic client and that it is not intended to last for generations.

Noting that the item is friable and 25mm thick, I see nothing wrong with securing mechanical raisers onto the back. Acrylic could be used as an alternative to wood. There are many adhesives to choose from depending on the framing standards requested.

An alternative could be custom gripper fingers around the item to hold it in place onto a backing board.

Think of this item as being a section of sound insulation ceiling tile regarding its consistency.

[vintage frames]

This sounds interesting.
Are you saying that the 'design studio' ordered some chop from Lion without thinking how they were going to join it?

I'm sure you'll devise a useful way to fix it in the frame.
Small blocks of wood stuck to the backing board and all painted black would be what I'd be thinking, perhaps.

You must post a photo of this thing when you have it.

And also, a photo of your finished work - so we can all click our tongues and criticize..

[JKX]

I’m a fun guy but without more info there’s not mushroom to manoeuvre.

[Justintime]

@JKX ah I like what you did there...
@vintage no clicking of the tongues necessary. The customer was more than happy to do the fixing into the tray frame this time, excited even! They are a design house based in Pembroke creating high end light fittings from mycelium and seaweed, using a variety of mediums like hemp, fine wood chip etc. So he didn't bring in the piece but had a photo to show me. A wall hanging I guess you'd call it? All their clients seem to be high end overseas restaurants/outlets etc, think Scandi chic/simplicity. Yes, chop bought with no thought! They're problem solving Millennials, water off a duck's back, I just happened to be the solution for this particular problem. They have decided to come straight to me for the next ones, problem solved.
@JFeig I have a vague idea of the value of these pieces and imagine that they will be expected to last for a good while, but yes I see your point especially due to the nature of the "medium". It's hydrophobic at this point but I wouldn't like to see what happens if it was left in storage too long.
Interestingly the base medium is hemp, so I'm told it is light but very strong so not friable as far as I know.
Their idea is to grab adhesive the work to a 3mm board (limited to 3mm by the remainder of height in the tray frame) and then grab adhesive that board to the bottom of the tray frame. It's rare for me to discuss fitting methods with a customer who wishes to complete it, but in this case I'm more than happy to advise and learn from their mistakes, ready to undertake the job myself when they require another one!

[JFeig]

Having the new information that the project is for display in a business as ROOM DECOR, I see no reason for any conservation methods.

Just glue that sucker down. The lifespan of ROOM DECOR is not that long (less than 20 years or there abouts, give or take).

[vintage frames]

Well, there you are.
Now they know you as - THE MAN - in Pembrokshire.

[Justintime]

@JFeig agreed.
@vintage I'll take that! Only wish it paid the bills, at the moment it feels like I could be THE MAN in Timbuktu... Let's hope this election brings about some real change for everybody not just the few, they must have topped up their fortunes for generations by now? Last chance to register to vote them out today folks! Oops, ahem back to framing...

[prospero]

If it's only 25mm thick have it encapsulated in resin. There are specialist companies who do it.
It might cost a bit but it will last for eternity.

[JKX]

Their idea is to grab adhesive the work to a 3mm board (limited to 3mm by the remainder of height in the tray frame) and then grab adhesive that board to the bottom of the tray frame.

You also have the aperture that the tray frame makes, probably 10mm deep at least, a board that size with a larger board bonded to it.

I think if that had come to me I’d ask someone for an offcut to play with. Is it smooth, rough, flat, wavy, can it be drilled, screwed. Is it heavy and dense or not and all the rest if it.

My default suggestion though, for anything, would always be to fasten/hold it in place with a custom mount, maybe formed rods, maybe acrylic channel etc. These would be visible and if unacceptable that’s fine, probably have to be adhesive - customer’s informed choice.