When it is ready to produce spores, the fungus grows into the brain of the ant and releases chemicals that make the ant climb a plant then attach itself near the top. It then kills its host by devouring its brain, before sprouting a mushroom from the top of its head, which disperses its spores as widely as possible.
Source: newspaper articles, radio reports and posts on the internet. Guardian.co.uk, National Geographic and PLoS ONE
The painting depicts a low polygon mesh representing an ant infected by the Ophiocordyceps fungus. Polygon meshes are used in computer programs to model 3D objects, and each mesh can be broken down into perfect straight lines. Using these straight lines, the artist K_Van follows each line with a needle and embroidery thread and covers the canvas with straight lines using its precise starting and finishing points. Once the form is established he commences by painting in the mesh using different tones of colour. The painting is now part of our reality, there is physical evidence of the labour, paint separated by thread and yet the image remains aloof, floating on or above the earth.