Life of Plants

The exhibition Life of Plants focuses on our relationship with plants. Although plants create life for all organisms the provide us with oxygen, food, medicine, clothes, energy and colour) we have little regard for them. We suffer from plant blindness. We see them only as means for decoration and consumption and have no eye for their way of living. And that is a problem if we want to survive the climate crisis. We need plants more than ever.

Artists and scientists can open our eyes to plants and their unique qualities. In Life of Plants artists Arja Hop and Peter Svenson, Elspeth Diederix, Špela Petrič and Oscar Santillán present their perspectives on plant life. Scientists of various fields will share their research in the ART SCIENCE dialogues organized together with Amsterdam Institute for Sustainability (ASI).

Emanuele Coccia’s La vie des plantes
The title is based on the book "La vie des plantes" (2016) by Emanuele Coccia. The Italian philosopher states that we should analyse all elements of life through plants. Plants give life to the Earth: they produce the atmosphere that surrounds us. Because of the way they are positioned, with their roots in the ground and leaves up to the sky, they are connected to all elements in life. They form complex networks and exchange ingredients to create sustainable ecosystems. With their flexibility and strength they can adapt to the most difficult circumstances. Plants give and sustain life.