The Mukhomor Occult in Russian Conceptualism

Abstract This essay discusses the unique interplay between mushrooms and Russian Conceptualism, situating the mycological theme within the broader framework of Second Avant-garde aesthetics and socio-political critique. Russian artists such as Wassily Kandinsky, Ilya Kabakov, Andrei Monastyrsky, and others embedded mushroom imagery into their works as a metaphorical device transcending mere visual motifs. These symbols embody philosophical explorations of consciousness, spirituality, and esoteric mysticism, reflecting resistance to Soviet materialism and ideological orthodoxy. The analysis traces the historical roots of this fascination back to early modernist experiments, such as the 1909 War of Mushrooms, blending allegory and satire with political critique. The mushroom becomes an icon of transformation, indexing a rich tradition of Eurasian shamanism and psychoactive practices. Moving into the 1970s and 1980s, mushrooms served as central symbols in Moscow Conceptualist works, articulating alternative spiritualities through avant-garde rituals and visual provocations. By examining the works of notable figures and groups, including the Mukhomor collective and conceptual artists Igor Makarevich and Elena Elagina, this paper explores how fungal motifs and esotericism converge to challenge artistic and ideological boundaries. It highlights the interdisciplinary nature of these explorations, drawing from mythology, alchemy, ethnography, and Soviet underground culture. Ultimately, this study reveals how mushrooms became a prism for rethinking identity, community, and the boundaries of artistic expression in late 20th-century Russia.