CARSTEN HÖLLER, Mushroom Carpet, 2018
Edition of 20
Numbered
Accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity
Hand knotted rug
Free-form
High & Low Cut
Wool & Silk

Carsten Höller creates mushroom-inspired works to explore altered states of perception, the dualities of nature—both harmless and toxic—and the intersection of science and art. Drawing on his background in scientific research, Höller has long been fascinated by fungi, particularly the psychedelic Amanita muscaria, which he often transforms into sculptural “confusion machines” designed to destabilize expectations, heighten awareness, and spark curiosity. His mushrooms are at once playful and unsettling, evoking both the natural world and its potential to shift our experience of reality.

For Henzel Studio, Höller has translated this ethos into the Mushroom Rug, a limited-edition hand-knotted piece that embodies the whimsical and transformative qualities of his sculptural works while inviting new forms of interaction within the domestic sphere. Every detail of the rug reflects the tactile immediacy and visual impact of Höller’s practice, transforming the floor into a site of discovery where function and artwork converge.

The rug becomes more than a surface—it is an immersive object that alters the way a room is perceived. Its rich textures, intricate knotting, and bold composition encourage viewers to engage with space in a heightened way, blurring the boundaries between art, design, and lived experience. In line with Höller’s broader body of work, the Mushroom Rug embodies the tension between order and disorientation, science and play, inviting its owner to inhabit a state of curiosity and wonder that is central to his practice.

Image courtesy: Photo credits (3 & 4) Filippo Bamberghi. Courtesy of Massimo De Carlo.