On Fibers of Being: An Interview with Lauren Henschel

Written By Giulia Di Stravola

by Giulia Di Stravola

Lauren Henschel was still finalizing her MFA thesis exhibition at Duke when Covid-19 stopped the world in its tracks. An ironic parallel, given her installation aims to instill a deeper connection between the individual and their body. And with the pervasive health crisis, we found ourselves doing just that.

Fibers of Being consists of two silent 16mm films. Between them, is a room filled with mycelium and sprouting mushrooms. A recording of a phone call between Henschel and her father plays audibly over these elements, adding to the layer of sounds that reverberate throughout the installation. 

In her interview with No Contact, Henschel delves into the story behind Fibers of Being, how each element of the installation is treated to mirror the human body, and how it changes when exterior forces collide.

Giulia Di Stravola

Giulia Di Stravola is a writer based in Brooklyn. Before pursuing writing and media full-time, she worked with the United Nations. Giulia is fluent in four languages, and is currently working on a screenplay and a short story collection.

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