About the artwork

Our project had two aims.The first was to visualize the life force and strength of plants that clothe them in beauty, the process by which they put out shoots and grow, while creating a context for making and sharing new discoveries. It wasn’t easy, working with living things, but finally we were able to visualize plants as living things vigorously spreading their roots throughout the soil, come what may. The second was to make the project a collaborative work with local residents. To stimulate communication between the students and local people, we asked people throughout the Tsumari region to plant seeds of their choice in a moss ball and raise them for two weeks. These were the plants used in the project. Viewers observing the completed work would imagine the person who planted the seeds in the moss ball, and thus be given a new perspective on the plants. In this way the project enhances our understanding of the importance of indirect but emotionally significant communication in human life.