azuma makoto's 'undersurface flower' compositions contrast perfect blooms with wild roots

azuma makoto is a japanese flower artist who pioneered the genre of the ‘botanical sculpture’. some of his previous works include the ‘exobiotanica project’, in which he launched a bonsai tree into space, and the ‘iced flowers’ series, which examines the changing life of flowers after being placed in frozen water. now, azuma makoto has released a new series of refreshing works designed to keep you cool this summer.

titled ‘undersurface flowers’, azuma makoto’s latest project is a style of flower compositions that not only document the upper half of the plant, but also the portion of the plant usually hidden below ground. submerged in water, these animated roots provide a visual contrast and striking counterpoint to the perfectly formed blooms above. take a look at the compositions below, and see designboom’s comprehensive archive of azuma makoto’s work here.