Breakdown The Promise of Decay On view January 25 - September 28, 2025
Breakdown: The Promise of Decay examines the vibrancy of decay. This interdisciplinary exhibition explores notions of time, waste, and the in-between. Breakdown shines a light on the dark corners of the life cycle recognizing the oft-overlooked workhorses of the ecosystem. From mycelium to microplastics, this exhibition focuses on what breaks down and what does not.
Plastic pollution is one of the most serious environmental challenges in the 21st century. Microplastics, tiny pieces of non-biodegradable plastic, thwart the pressures of time and decomposition. They are ubiquitous, like fungi: found outdoors in soil and on plants, indoors on surfaces and in the air, on our skin and inside the body. In the end, it comes from our stuff – which is everywhere.
Featuring contemporary artwork, objects from the museum’s collection, and scientific innovations in the curious world of decomposition, Breakdown asks the public to value a world they cannot see in order to protect the one we can.
Curated by Rylee Eterginoso and Colleen Evans
Breakdown: The Promise of Decay examines the vibrancy of decay. This interdisciplinary exhibition explores notions of time, waste, and the in-between. Breakdown shines a light on the dark corners of the life cycle recognizing the oft-overlooked workhorses of the ecosystem. From mycelium to microplastics, this exhibition focuses on what breaks down and what does not.
Plastic pollution is one of the most serious environmental challenges in the 21st century. Microplastics, tiny pieces of non-biodegradable plastic, thwart the pressures of time and decomposition. They are ubiquitous, like fungi: found outdoors in soil and on plants, indoors on surfaces and in the air, on our skin and inside the body. In the end, it comes from our stuff – which is everywhere.
Featuring contemporary artwork, objects from the museum’s collection, and scientific innovations in the curious world of decomposition, Breakdown asks the public to value a world they cannot see in order to protect the one we can.
Curated by Rylee Eterginoso and Colleen Evans
Fungi: Interwoven Worlds Exhibition Booklet
Fungi accompany us at every turn. They are in the soil and air, on our skin, in buildings, and out of doors. Some show off their colors with caps and stems; others are miniscule or live in inaccessible places, and many spin extensive underground networks (mycelia). Without fungi, no living organism on earth could exist in its present form. Yet their importance within the web of life is usually underestimated. Learning about fungi means recognizing relationships and interwovenness where previously there were individual organisms. The exhibition Fungi – Interwoven Worlds takes you mushrooming – in contemporary art. Supplemented by scientific findings, the show featuring international artists invites visitors to discover the amazing world of fungi.
Fungi accompany us at every turn. They are in the soil and air, on our skin, in buildings, and out of doors. Some show off their colors with caps and stems; others are miniscule or live in inaccessible places, and many spin extensive underground networks (mycelia). Without fungi, no living organism on earth could exist in its present form. Yet their importance within the web of life is usually underestimated. Learning about fungi means recognizing relationships and interwovenness where previously there were individual organisms. The exhibition Fungi – Interwoven Worlds takes you mushrooming – in contemporary art. Supplemented by scientific findings, the show featuring international artists invites visitors to discover the amazing world of fungi.