John Cage: A Mycological Foray: Variations on Mushrooms

“I have come to the conclusion that much can be learned about music by devoting oneself to the mushroom.” – John Cage, 1954

John Cage: A Mycological Foray draws readers across the idiosyncratic, mushroom-suffused, innermost landscape of celebrated American composer John Cage. Upon the remarkable journey with Cage, one encounters assorted photographs, compositions, and contemplations; all in the very same unexpected fashion one encounters various flora and fungi species while mushroom foraging. Volume I encompasses Cage’s mycological-oriented Indeterminacy stories, Diary excerpts, and essays; and the complete transcript of Cage’s 1983 performance, MUSHROOMS et Variationes. Volume II offers the inaugural reproduction of Cage’s 1972 portfolio, Mushroom Book; authored in collaboration with illustrator Lois Long and botanist Alexander H. Smith.

John Cage (1912–92) was an American composer and music theorist. Recognized as a pioneer of indeterminacy in music, electroacoustic music and a leading figure of the postwar avant-garde, his influence extended to the realms of dance, poetry, performance and visual art.

John Cage: A Mycological Foray is developed in collaboration with the John Cage Trust.