Mycelium Memory

because the mushrooms underneath us remember ….will we?

Hani חאני Esther Indictor Portner (they/them) is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, tour guide, historian,and Jewish witch blooming and rooting in Berlin

Photographed during a class for Hillel Deutschland

Latest posts

  • Turkey Tails back to the Birds

    This shabbat I decided to process my turkey tail harvest from earlier in the winter that has been hiding in my freezer killing the mites that love to snack on turkey tails and destroyed my unfrozen supply last year. Before they were rinsed and put into the dehydrator I trimmed the woody bits and inspected…

    Continue reading

  • Letters To Berlin Paintings

    These five 20cm paintings were created for a series displayed for a month as a part of the Cultures of Remembrance exhibit organized by the Educat collective. Each of the paintings are connected to an accompanying letter written to Hella Knabe, the designer and hairdresser who helped make the world a better place for many…

    Continue reading

  • Rainbow Rabbi/Jew from the Bukovina

    This painting is based on a photograph taken in 1899 tittled “a Jew from Bukovina.” Upon researching Bukovina more and learning it was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire I came to realize that some of my ancestors are from close this area, and I felt like painting his Portrait would help me reconnect with this…

    Continue reading

Testimonials

Lou :

Hani’s events are always such a joy to go to. They put so much care into creating a non-judgmental, welcoming space for fun learning and feeling wonder at the many beautiful and powerful things our more than human relatives have to offer. The events are one of the few places left that set firm boundaries to create a covid safer space and make me feel extra relaxed thanks to that. Centering and celebrating trans disabled experiences in their work always brings so much healing power as well. I always leave restored and connected and hopeful. Wonderful offerings.

BDB :

Most wholesome, relevant group activity in Berlin. Twig’s art is accessible and activity oriented. l learned about and have a relationship with yarrow. l noticed a significant change in the energy and safety of the events when hate increased and l want that to go away. Twig’s workshops encourage a better relationship with knowledge, not based on competition and conceit, that the Berlin public desperately needs.

Rebecca Agnes :

During 2023 I joined different walks Hani offered in different seasons and places; Tegel forest in Spring, Peacock Island, and Grünewald in Summer, Swamp of Borgsdorf in Autumn. What I appreciate is the fact that each walk combines the experience of being in a natural surrounding, with its chance encounters with mushrooms, plants, and trees, with historical facts and practices of remembrance about queer life and characters often overlooked in history. Hani combines the acquisition of new knowledge related to plants with the testimony of Jewish, Queer and Trans lives in the recent past of Berlin.

Rebecca R :

Hani is such a thoughtful, caring and insightful person. They make sure everyone feels welcomed to any events that they do and they make sure to make it as acceptable as possible. I admire their eye for details and it is such a joy to listen to them when they share their wisdom and knowledge. After any encounter I had with Hani I feel slightly better. I recommend any event of Hani’s wholeheartedly.