Mingqian Zhou 周鸣谦

About

I am ZhouZhou, and my design work focuses on exploring the relationship between nature and humanity, particularly through the medium of mushrooms to convey the cycles of life and regeneration. I aim to examine the cycles of life and death, ecological balance, and humanity’s place within the natural world through visual art and interactive design.

​My design principles are respect for nature, understanding the cycles of life, and advocating for diversity and complexity. By centering on mushrooms, I challenge traditional binary thinking, promoting diversity, complexity, and the dynamic balance of ecosystems. My work calls for a deep respect for the natural world and a critical reflection on anthropocentrism. ​

My design system is a process of self-exploration and reconciliation, beginning with becoming a mushroom. I emphasize the profound connection between nature and humanity. The four mushroom characters I have created symbolize different stages of natural life: birth, growth, illness, and death. They reflect the cycles of life and regeneration. Through these characters, I aim to convey the connection between humans and nature, as well as respect and reverence for ecosystems. Additionally, these characters symbolize the cycle of life and the reutilization of non-living materials. Through this design system, I want to reveal the essence of life, promote harmony between humans and nature, and offer spiritual tranquility to those anxious about death or life’s imbalances. Essentially, we need to return to our true natural state to understand post-mortem phenomena.We are in nature, and nature is in us.

I strive to explore the deep connections between nature and life through various mediums while meeting the needs of ecological conservation, mental health, and community interaction. I materialize these ideas into a series of artworks and interactive experiences. For example, in my project “We Are Mushrooms,” I have created glass mushroom hallucinogenic rings, mushroom stickers, mushroom limbs modeled after my own, and mushroom plush blankets. These creations aim to transport people into a magical space, akin to my experience as a mushroom in nature.