Since the early days of going on a walk and seeing a beautiful landscape, to photographing that landscape, then it being the desktop background to Window XP, the medium in which nature is expressed is constantly evolving. There are still-life paintings of fruit bowls that hone an artist's skills and botanical illustrations that reveal a plant’s anatomy for science or hanging at your doctor’s waiting room lobby. Plants have a place in art. Many artists are using the lawlessness of art to emphasize nature's free spirit.
Here's a non-exhaustive list of artists and pieces that integrate plants as part of a breathing exhibition. These art pieces are giving our living, breathing, carbon-sequestering friends the leading role!
Mossy Mural
In New York City, indoor moss murals are increasingly gaining fame. As it’s known, the urban hub is constantly looking for more greenery to liven up their city aesthetic. They are made by an artist perceiving images into lines and patterns that they believe will have an emotional response to the audience. Then they outline the pattern into wood, acrylic, glass, or cement. Finally, the moss is glued down with E600 and patted down into place. Moss is a flexible plant that flourishes anywhere it is placed. Many artists are beginning to use moss commercially and transforming it into decor, jewelry, and more. The moss is low maintenance and is a bright, cleansing piece that attracts human interaction. Another benefit is moss doesn’t need soil or overgrow its allocated space.
Philodendron Xanad by Ruben Bellinkx
Rather than making space for his plants, Belgium-based artist Ruben Bellinkx’s plants are making space for him! His art uses live Philodendron Xanadu plants and reconstructs the wall around them so the leaves peek through into the next room. Talk about a two-for-one deal! The minimalist wall makes room for this jarring and mind-bending piece. Bellinkx reconstructs a small section of the wall leaving the plants undamaged and alive.
One tool needed... Plants!
Many artists have turned to plants as their source of inspiration for their work. Diana Scherer, a german artist who now lives in Amsterdam uses plants, soil, and roots from her garden to replicate the vase of a plant. Making the entire potted experience out of natural plant materials. It is an interesting take on the anatomy of plants outside of the earth. Another art piece entitled “Harm Less” by Sonia Rentsch uses sticks, leaves, twigs, seeds, and flowers to recreate weapons. Rentsch uses the natural elements of a plant to her advantage, like the spikey parts of pineapple or stems that are built-in handles for the weapon. These artists are repurposing plants as the only tool needed for life!
The Flora Forager
Flowers are a symbol of beauty so integrated them into art is to be expected. Using flower petals to create intricate arrangements detailing the finer parts of life, Bridget Beth Collins's Instagram page, Flora Forager inspires Instagram users by innovation, eye to detail, and creativity to make colorful images out of flowers. The artist uses petals, leaves, twigs, and vines to recreate natural scenery, animals, drinks, and more, then post them on her Instagram page! Flora Forger’s art is truly the example of beauty begets beauty!
Architectural Arboretum
One Starbucks in Miami is using plants as their architectural blueprint. The building has summoned the native palm trees to create an immersive experience with nature for the customer. With the trees being a part of their architectural design, Starbucks attempts to have the consumer believe they want to protect the natural habitat. However, it’s pretty unconvincing surround by a sea of cement.
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