Art, Curatorial Projects > Map Project: Plants & Borders (mixed media)

Retama roetam, Wadi Rum, Jordan, mixed media, flowers and maps of the Middle East
map & photo collage: paper, wood, styrofoam, paint; groing in Wadi Rum, Jordan
15"L x 15"H x 3"D
2013
$2200
Capparis aegyptia  2013, growing in Wadi Nahal Bokek, wild caper bush, mixed media, Maps and Flowers of the Holy Land,Israel
map & photo collage: paper, wood, styrofoam, paint; growing in Nahal Bokek, Israel
17"L x 20"H x 2"D
2013
$2400
Silene colorata growing in EIn Tamar, Israel, mixed media, Maps and Flowers of the Holy Land
map & photo collage: paper, wood, styrofoam, paint; growing in Ein Tamar, Israel
17"L x 20"H x 3 1/2"D
2013
$2400
Bellis Perennis daisies, photo and map collage, growing in Casearia, Israel, Maps and Flowers of the Holy Landf
map & photo collage: paper, wood, styrofoam, paint; growing in Caesaria, Israel
12 1/4"L x 15"H x 2"D
2013
$1500
Echium angustifolium shore plant, map and photo collage, growing in Casearia Maps and Flowers of the Holy Land Israel
map & photo collage; paper, wood, styrofoam, paint; growing in Casearia, Israel
13"L x 10"H x 3"D
2013
$1500
Acacia Glauca  2013, map and photo collage, growing in Tel Adashim, Israel, Maps and Flowers of the Holy Landn
map & photo collage: paper, wood, styrofoam, paint; growing in Tel Adashim, Israel
14"L x 14"H x 2"D
2013
$1900
Anacamptis laxiflora subsp. dinsmorei  orchid 2013, map and photo collage, rare orchid growing in Pardes Hanna, Israel, Maps and Flowers of the Holy Land
map & photo collage: paper, wood, styrofoam, paint
15 1/4"L x 15 1/4"H x 3"D
2013
$2200

This series of works are composed of maps deaccessioned from the Walsh Library superimposed on to photographs I took of vegetation native to the Holy Land. While politically derived borders are clearly demarcated by wire, wall and checkpoints, plants find their own territories. Some of these flowers will grow only in a tiny geographical area under very specific conditions. Others may look familiar to the American gardener as plants introduced to the American landscape from abroad. I have labelled each plant according to the accepted botanical nomenclature of the Vienna Code of 2005 (International Code of Botanical Nomenclature).

When travelling through landscape we have a tendency to admire the scene, impressive land formations, great canyons and strata. Bending to examine a leaf or pod allows you to establish a more intimate connection, a better understanding of a place.