Dance of the Ghost Fungus (2025)
Image Credit: Jenni Carter
Audio description
Audio descriptions were produced by Access2Arts.
Artwork information
- Title: Dance of the Ghost Fungus (2025)
- Artist: Floria Tosca
- Location: Davis Street Tunnel, Dulwich Hill
Text description
This light artwork is inspired by the mesmerizing bioluminescence of the Ghost Fungus, omphalotus nidiformis.
It serves as a tribute to the intricate mycelial networks and the countless other natural elements displaced by the GreenWay. As we acknowledge and express our gratitude, our bond with nature deepens. Step into this luminous wonderland, feel the joy that radiates around you, and remember: we are all interconnected.
Land of the Gadigal and Wangal peoples.
Description
Installed on either side of the Davis Street Tunnel interior, Floria Tosca’s Dance of the Ghost Fungus, made in 2025, is a series of painted illustrations of ghost fungus on a black background. The installation stretches 8 metres wide on either side, each side comprised of four 1 metre long panels, installed at eye-line.
The illustrations are rendered in a gradient, bright yellow at the top of the screen, then fading down into vibrant lime green at the bottom. Coloured strip lighting installed above and below each panel creates a glowing effect.
Clusters of abstract circular and organic shapes, some small like bubbling foam, some larger and dotted or striped with internal gills that spill out from their shell-like shapes. Larger fungus shapes mingle with smaller bubbles and pockets of circular shapes, giving the impression of an underwater scene.
Surrounding context
The paved GreenWay path runs through the Davis Street tunnel. To the left of the tunnel entrance, protected by a cyclone fence, light rail tracks run parallel to the Greenway. On both north and south ends, the tunnel entrance is paved with red brick, and sports a curved white street sign reading ‘DAVIS STREET’. The entrances are rounded in an art deco style, like the proscenium arch in an old theatre. A road runs above the tunnel itself.
Conclusion
This concludes the audio description of ‘Dance of the Ghost Fungus’’, written by Hen Vaughan for Access2arts. Dance of the Ghost Fungus is one of eight artworks that explore themes of, and collaborate with, the natural environment, local rail history and native flora and fauna, curated by GreenWay Public Art Program.