Côme Di Meglio’s Song of the Origins installation in the new Sculpture Garden at Maison Ruinart, Reims, brings to life a striking mycelium architecture that honours the interplay of sound, matter, and memory. Inspired by ancient sacred spaces, this mycelium alcove connects the tangible and intangible, evoking a profound sense of unity with nature.
Crafted from mycelium and oak, Song of the Origins appears rugged and earthy from the outside, resembling planetary terrain. Inside, its smooth, sculpted texture recalls the Champagne region’s chalk pits. Suspended within is a golden gong that echoes throughout the structure, resonating with a frequency aligned to the architecture’s acoustics, allowing each strike to reverberate and resonate deeply, immersing visitors in the vibrations of life.
The Power of Vibration in Nature and Myth
The piece draws its name from creation myths where the universe is sung or spoken into being—a cosmic symphony of sound and matter. This concept is inspired by scientific research showing that plants and fungi respond to sounds in nature. Studies have demonstrated that mycelium, for example, can perceive thunder, signaling the rains that prompt growth. Di Meglio’s installation resonates with this biological responsiveness, transforming sound into a universal language connecting all life.
A Living Architecture That Evolves with the Garden
Over time, the mycelium within Song of the Origins will biodegrade, nurturing the surrounding soil and strengthening its connection to the garden’s ecosystem. Each gong strike stimulates this transformation, encouraging mycelial growth and fostering new cycles of life within the soil. The entire structure is built without petrochemicals: its oak frame, crafted with traditional joinery techniques by Chantier Naval Borg in Marseille, will eventually return to the earth, preserving the essence of this architectural memory.
A Temple to Presence and Connection
This mycelium work is part of Di Meglio’s larger vision to create “temples” where visitors can feel grounded in the present, fostering social interaction, sound healing, and music. Di Meglio envisions more installations in communal spaces and urban interiors that evoke a sense of interconnectedness within the web of life.
Maison Ruinart’s acquisition of Song of the Origins highlights their dedication to sustainability and the arts, resonating with their ethos of eco-conscious agriculture. Situated within a stunning garden by Christophe Gautrand, Song of the Origins is a tribute to life’s vibrational harmony, blending art, ecology, and timeless craftsmanship.