The Secret Life of Plants

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Human life and Earth’s ecosystems are dependent on plant life. Plants provide us oxygen, food, materials for clothing and shelters, as well as medicine. The natural world often inspires design through its incredible structures, mechanisms or beautiful patterns - and the world of plants is loaded with intriguing stories and facts that encourage us to broaden our imagination. The environment of Boisbuchet is an ideal place to slow down and immerse oneself in natural surroundings; to explore the world of plants with a fresh eye - as if this were your first encounter with it. It’s the perfect opportunity to observe plants at every possible angle and scale – micro and macro by using magnifiers and microscopes. Researching through encyclopaedia, books and the internet and testing plants by touch, manipulation, smell and taste will engages all the senses in further discovery. Participants will be asked to create a device inspired by their findings. The device would demonstrate or allow the audience to experience/share the ‘discoveries’ – these can be an object(s), story, mechanism, system, structure, texture, sound etc. The workshop will be supplemented by lectures on the use of plant-related natural resources such as Japanese lacquer work, plant ash glazes for ceramics and perhaps a talk by a botanist from local arboretum.

 Tomoko Azumi (J