We spoke to Juan Ferrer, Falling Walls Engage Finalist 2020, about his project and how the Falling Walls Engage Pitches helped facilitate the contact to other projects.
What is your project about?
My project “Museo del Hongo” is about hope. Through our practice, we aim to communicate to diverse audiences both the practical and philosophical tools that the Fungi Kingdom can provide to face the challenges of the current eco-social crisis. We believe art has the power to make new realities, therefore exhibitions have been our method, bringing a sensory experience to the transfer of knowledge, audiences create their own kinship with the work, and with Nature.
What made you start this project and how did Falling Walls Engage and its community contribute to the further development of your project?
Back in 2015, I did my internship at the Fungi Foundation in Chile with Giuliana Furci and I was really overwhelmed by all the ecological marvels and disrupting features of the current structures that Fungi enlighten. I felt the need to communicate it further. I have always had a thrill for biology and have been very passionate about art, so working with them together has been quite a spiritual experience.
Falling Walls Engage has made me incorporate the potential impact of what we do as Science Engagers and it has contributed by giving me the opportunity to be part of a community where dreams are shared.