Maryland Institute College of Art

Projects 2024

Symbiotic Stitches

Outstanding NArrative Winner

Maia Malakoff, Kat Luna, Leyi Guo, Austin Chia, Jingwen Zhang, Nadia Nazar, Mantis Harper-Blanco

Symbiotic Stitches is a quilting project grounded in the understanding that craft and biodesign stemmed from the need to express and push through times of struggle. The team worked with mycelium, slime mold, and lichen, focusing on the concept of care as resiliency within their community. Addressing the notion that society must take control and responsibility for the problem that humans have started and magnified, the project poses the question, “How can we practice care with our collaborators and with each other to craft resilient symbiotic communities?”

Ryan Hoover is an artist and researcher operating at the intersection of digital fabrication, biological systems, and traditional crafts. His work explores the complex ethical implications of new technologies. He exhibits at museums and art centers internationally, and is the recipient of multiple grants and awards.

Hoover holds an MFA in interdisciplinary art from MICA's Mount Royal School and a dual BFA in Sculpture and Philosophy from UNC Asheville. As faculty in MICA's Interdisciplinary Sculpture department, he leads innovative classes in digital fabrication and other emerging technologies.