Grounding New Narratives of ‘Plantness’ in Botanic Garden Design. A place for art-based research?

Abstract

Through two examples of artworks, both historical and contemporary, water-colour and installation, this article considers possibilities for art-based research to ground new narratives of ‘plantness’ in botanic garden design. In so doing the author suggests that art can open windows on a little-known world; and confront the human viewer with narratives that provoke them to re-calibrate their ideas about, and feelings towards, plants. Thus, questions are also asked of landscape architecture and the ways in which it might respond to such art-based research works and considers emergent questions for design practices wishing to make ‘Life as Plant’ more public and specific.