For the exhibition, Tsuchimoto presents a series of drawings as an ongoing research process on hydrangeas/hortensias, popular decorative flowering plants omnipresently on tables, in gardens, and even as artificial flowers. Since the plants are native to Asia and the Americas, they attracted European plant hunters between the late 18th century and 19th century, such as Carl Peter Thunberg, "apostle" of Carl Linnaeus, and German physician/botanist Philipp Franz von Siebold. The artworks address interdependent narratives between plant life and anthropogenic activities in the past, present, and future. Through vegetal consciousness and agency that mediates relations between/among people, environments, commercial markets, and politics, she reimagines intimate connection with the plants beyond ornamental/representational reasons. The incomplete elements in the artworks imply a will to keep growing and stay alive by being attuned to collected plants for scientific research and exhibitions.
