TAG IT: MOSS GRAFFITI
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BC
Fig. A: Gathered moss. Fig. B: Rinsing mud off the clumps. The process of growing moss is very much dependent on selecting exactly the right location in the right weather conditions. If your climate is too
dry, grow the moss indoors and transplant it outside once your pattern has successfully grown (Fig. C). It took approximately 6 weeks for this design to be ready.
First gather together several clumps of moss. You can find moss growing between the cracks in paving stones, near leaky drains, on trees … basically, moss loves damp and shady places. Mosses do not have roots but use rhizoids to attach themselves to surfaces, meaning that you can easily collect moss by hand or with a spatula. Clean off as much of the mud as possible by soaking it in water.
2. Make the moss milkshake. Put the moss in a blender and add beer (or yogurt or buttermilk) and sugar. Blend just long enough to create a smooth, creamy consistency, like a thick milkshake. Pour the mixture into a plastic container.
3. Create your design. Find a suitable location onto which you can apply your moss milkshake (a good indicator is somewhere that moss is already growing). Paint on your chosen design (either freehand or using a stencil).
If possible, try to water your masterpiece daily with a spray mister. Soon the bits of blended moss should begin to recuperate, maintaining your design before eventually colonizing the whole area.
Learn about mosses at craftzine.com/go/moss.
Helen Nodding is an artist who lives and works in London. As well as her own work ( storiesfromspace.co.uk), she often collaborates with the London-based group Spacehijackers, who explore and critique the use of public space.
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