®2024

Queering Botany

The project, Queering Botany is a research project mapping extinct flora and fauna species stored at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The project explores the nature of knowledge systems, museum collecting and dioramas to highlight and renarrate the extractive histories on the planet and the ways we live to foster new forms of engagement with these histories. Taking inspiration from Mark Dion, the practice approaches architecture by shadowing scientific enquiry, engaging with fieldwork, and expedition material, specifically looking at the architectural infrastructures of Kew gardens temperate house that support these botanical processes.

Client

Royal College of Art

DELIVERABLES

Game Design 3D Modelling Research

Year

2022

Role

Creative

the challenge

the INTENT

The nature of knowledge systems, museum collecting and museum dioramas highlight renarrate the violence of extractive histories on the planet.

Through biological and sensory research, the work proposes to re-evaluate the present architectures of natural history museum dioramas by designing an alternative form of a diorama, taking the core principles of the traditional diorama, scale, actors, time, framing and environments, to present stories from unheard actors who last bore witness to globally extinct botanical specimens.

Research

The project questioned how does an idealised representation block and impact the understanding of a real representation? Are there nodal networking of mycelium that we can learn from? How can the fluidity of nature amalgamate with our understanding of ourselves and how we live collectively?

Research

Applying queer theory to disrupt traditional taxonomies and representations of plant life. I experimented with 3D modeling, virtual reality, and game design to create contemporary dioramas that present alternative narratives.

Process

Four digital dioramas, each reimagining an extinct plant species. Nesiota Elliptica, An 1800s botanical illustrator’s imagined encounter with the St Helena Olive. Acalypha Wilderi, A virtual Victorian greenhouse echoing the Cook Islands' climate, exploring extinction by overcollection. Lepidium Obtusatum, A VR journey from the viewpoint of a herbarium sheet, revealing the fragility of botanical preservation. Leucadendron Spirale, An arcade-inspired simulation reflecting human impact on plant populations.

outcome

The project questions the binary and extractive nature of traditional botanical classifications. By employing digital media and queer theory, it offers new ways to engage with and understanding plant life.

Reflection

Queering Botany

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