Alberto Baraya's "Herbarium of Artificial Plants" is an example of a contemporary artist engaging with the technique and history of traditional Herbarium plates. Instead of collecting living plant specimens and drying them, he collects artificial plants and disassembles them. Important to his research, like a true Botanist, is the context and location in which the plant was found. He often documents other aspects of the collection process, along with the specimen itself.
This project was presented at the 8th Berlin Biennale in 2014.
Alberto Baraya´s "Expedition Berlin, Herbarium of Artificial Plants" at the 8th Berlin Biennale from dmovies.net on Vimeo.
Baraya's work at the 8th Berlin Biennale |
Compare Baraya's work with some 19th century Herbarium plates, using dried specimens.