The Senses of Plants

The group exhibition “The Senses of Plants” by the Kunstgalerie Villa Merkel in Esslingen am Neckar presents works by young contemporary artists who explore the multifaceted sensory perception and intelligence of plants.

Research findings by theorists and neurobiologists indicate that plants are capable of making decisions, possess memory and can communicate. The works displayed in the exhibition refer to these findings and offer new aesthetic perspectives on the coexistence of humans and plants in a post-Anthropocene age, gripped by social and environmental crises. In addition to focusing on the autonomous nature of plants, the participating artists also put our self- and world-image to the test. For example, the works by Zheng Bo draw a link between various current debates on diversity and the bisexuality of ferns and queer desire. The artists Saša Spačal and Špela Petrič, on the other hand, speculate on human-plant hybrids which deconstruct the dualistic concepts of male/female, human/plant and nature/culture dichotomies.

By highlighting divides and differences, as well as the commonalities shared by humans and plants, the exhibition hopes to inspire visitors to adopt an alternative mindset that encourages a respectful (cross-species) interaction. At the interface of art, science and everyday experience, the exhibition asks what rights should be granted to plants.

Artistic director: Julia Katharina Thiemann

Artists: Anais-karenin, Suzette Bousema, María Castellanos and Alberto Valverdes, Patricia Domínguez, Špela Petrič, Miriam Simun, Saša Spačal, Anton Vidokle, Zheng Bo and others

Exhibition: Villa Merkel, Galerie der Stadt Esslingen am Neckar, Esslingen: 3 Mar. – 2 Jun. 2024