azuma makoto displays the death and life of floral sculptures in tokyo

azuma makoto has created nine flower sculptures that gradually morph throughout the course of their one-month long exhibition. ‘drop time’ at the mass gallery in tokyo comprises a gird of acrylic cases, each accommodating carefully crafted botanical artworks within. colorful compositions of various blooms infill each transparent volume, displaying the evolving conditions, qualities, and characteristics of the species as they shift through the eventual stages of decay.

azuma makoto’s one month long exhibition clearly exposes the fragile state of the flowers and their ever-changing living properties. each of the plants change day by day — blooming, gradually darkening, attracting insects, and finally moving toward death. this artistic exploration of life blends unsavory smells, dirt, beauty, decay, and color — an unusual mix of many elements that visually captures the passing of time. 

the exhibition continues the japanese artist’s ongoing study of beauty and decay, following the project ‘box flowers’. this installation shows the visual journey of a square sculpture made up of colorful blossoms as is slowly wilts and dies over time.