Plant Fever
Towards a Phyto-centred Design
Conceived and curated by d-o-t-s, Plant Fever is an invitation to look at plants with renewed curiosity and discover their hidden potential. Highlighting the work of contemporary thinkers and practitioners, the project wishes to act as a catalyst for new design scenarios that favour more profound relationships between humans and the vegetal realm.
Synopsis
For centuries, our inherent alienation from nature has prevented us from truly understanding the potential of plants as more than simple materials or decorative objects. In recent years, however, new scientific discoveries and philosophical approaches have reframed our relationship with them, questioning the dualism human/nature so much rooted in Western thinking.
Echoing the belief of American ecologist Ian Baldwin that "we should try to think like plants", designers, scientists and engineers, started to look into plants’ structures and behaviours adopting them as allies to develop solutions for current and upcoming environmental and social issues.
Plant Fever proposes to look at the future of design from this new vegetal perspective, moving from a human-centred to a phyto-centred design.
Plant Fever proposes to look at the future of design from this new vegetal perspective, moving from a human-centred to a phyto-centred design.
The touring exhibition
Featuring a modular and easy-to-mount scenography, Plant Fever was imagined as a travelling show that can be adapted to various European venues and engage with their audiences in ever-changing ways.
Kunstgewerbemuseum Dresden (DE)
29.04 - 31.10.2023
Take a photo tour ︎︎︎
The publications
Conceived as an activist and multilayered project, Plant Fever comprises also a book and a manifesto that enrich the exhibition’s narrative with further critical perspectives on humans-plants relationships.
The exhibits
Ranging from products and fashion items to material research, open-source devices and emerging technologies, the 50+ projects featured in Plant Fever represent the work of creatives from more than 20 countries. Here are some examples.
Artichair by Spyros Kizis
Photo © Spyros Kizis
Elowan by Harpeet Sareen & Pattie MaesPhoto © Sareen&Maes
Eritaj Kontré by dach&zephirPhoto © Jiès Cléodore
Hemp Shoes by Liz Ciokajlo
Photo © Stephanie P. Corwin
The Phytophiler by Dossofiorito
Photo © Omar Nadalini
Viride by Pablo Figuera & Àlvaro GoulaPhoto © Goula-Figuera
Reading suggestions
The research behind Plant Fever is informed & nourished by an ever-evolving bibliography. The volumes listed here are an excellent way to start your journey in the fascinating world of plants.
Contact
You have a question regarding the exhibition or the book? Wish to invite the curatorial team for a talk or a workshop? Want to submit an article proposal for the journal? Get in touch at hello@studiodots.eu
Colophon
Concept & curation: d-o-t-s
Visual identity: Matthieu Visentin
Exhibition scenography: Benoît Deneufbourg
Production & logistics: CID au Grand-Hornu
Visual identity: Matthieu Visentin
Exhibition scenography: Benoît Deneufbourg
Production & logistics: CID au Grand-Hornu
The curatorial team wishes to thank:
Marco Costantini, Marie Pok, Livia Rossi & Gianluca Giabardo, Markus Jeschaunig, Antonio Scarponi, Emanuele Coccia, Irene Cuzzaniti, Coline Fontaine, Quentin Hiernaux, Laura Maggi, Deborah Tyler, Dana Olarescu, Barbara Predan, Giada Seghers, Marie de Cossette, Giovanna Massoni, Špela Petrič, Natasha Mis, Denise Neri, Scott Hawthorn, All the website’s guest authors,