Living garden with approximately 100 plants and metal shelves
Project realised with the support of Italian Council (2022)

An Interlude is a living garden archive assembled by the artist in collaboration with Bettina Bein-Lobmaier, a medical plant specialist. The installation features more than a hundred plants used throughout history for distinctly dual purposes: in small amounts for healing human illnesses and injuries and in large amounts as toxic sub- stances that can induce harm. Many of the plants have been used since ancient times for these purposes.

The 17 species of plants cascade through the gallery on industrial shelves used widely in work- spaces such as a garden shed, laboratory or library. The plant’s medicinal usages range from narcotics to tonics, sedatives, anti- asthmatics, stimulants, analgesics, expectorants, laxatives, digestives, and anti-inflammatories. Equally far-ranging are the plant’s origins: they are found on five of the seven continents (excepting Australia and Antarctica).

During the exhibition, this garden will grow and provide a moment of pause from everyday and a space of metaphorical healing for visitors. It points to the critical need to conserve and protect species for both the health of the planet and humanity.