azuma makoto continues his 'paludarium' series of bonsai ecospheres

japanese flower artist azuma makoto presents his latest exhibition which displays the TACHIKO and YASUTOSHI versions of his ‘paludarium’ series. the overall series expresses influence from the 19th century english invention, a small conservatory or plant protection machine that had since been exhibited at the paris expo. precious plant species had historically been shipped from distant colonies within the glass container, and appreciated its growing cycles inside their home far away from the plant’ s own home. ‘paludarium’ is a result of new interpretation of this tiny garden machine, which is now equipped with various functions and transformed into a contemporary encapsulated environmental system. paludarium TACHIKO was first presented in november 2019.

paludarium TACHIKO (left) | paludarium YASUTOSHI (right)
images by shunsuke shiinoki, courtesy of azuma makoto

azuma makoto exhibits two versions of his larger ‘paludarium’ series — the fourth version ‘paludarium TACHIKO’ and the fifth ‘paludarium YASUTOSHI.’ ‘paludarium YASUTOSHI,’ the latest of the two, is fully equipped with a mist machine that engulfs the plant in fog, together with a responsive drip feed-water system which activates to control the environment’s temperature and humidity. the vessel’s cylindrical shape can fully capture the natural light from every direction and can accomodate plant growth, offering the most height of the entire series. a collaboration with botanical photographer shunsuke shiinoki, the work was shown last month at standby, the concrete annex of the contemporary art gallery the mass in the tokyo’s harajuku district.

paludarium TACHIKO (left) | paludarium YASUTOSHI (right)

paludarium TACHIKO is fully equipped with a drip feed-water system and a mist machine. these features serve to nourish the plant and control temperature and humidity of the micro-environment. the container captures natural light from all directions while the viewer can observe the plant in detail through a small, integrated magnifying glass. fans on either side serve to mimic a natural wind condition, as waterproofed speakers offer gentle music to promote growth. the machine artificially replicates essential natural elements — rain, wind, light and sound — to generate a tiny world where the ecological cycle is condensed.

encapsulated environmental system: paludarium YASUTOSHI