Big Botany: Conversations with the Plant World

Exhibition

Exhibition Overview

Big Botany: Conversations with the Plant World
Big Botany: Conversations with the Plant World
Stephen Goddard, curator
March 27, 2018–July 15, 2018
Galleries 315, 316, 317, and 408 Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Big Botany: Conversations with the Plant World will explore humankind’s deep connections and fascination with the plant kingdom through works from the Spencer’s collection, a number of significant loans, and commissions by living artists. The exhibition will be organized through several themes: artists' studies of plant forms; historic and contemporary plant lore; art dealing with ecological sustainability and biomechanical plant hybrids; plants in a post-human world; and works dealing with current scientific research on how plants sense the world and communicate.

An accompanying publication will document the project and include brief texts by artists and curators as well as biologists, ecologists, and philosophers. A range of educational programs will engage university students, youth and families, scholars, and citizen scientists with the exhibition's central themes and artists.

Exhibition images

Works of art

Antoine-Jean Weber; Louise Adéone Drölling
Sebald Beham
Orval Hixon
Sammy Baird, 1925
Karl Blossfeldt
Eryngium Bourgatii Mannetreau, circa 1926–1928
William Morris
Double Bough, 1890
Anna Atkins
Robinia pseudo-acacia (America), circa 1851–1854
Anna Atkins
untitled, 1600s
William Sharp; John Fisk Allen
William Sharp; John Fisk Allen
Lawrence Lithography Workshop; Susan Davidoff
Lawrence Lithography Workshop; Susan Davidoff
Karl Blossfeldt
untitled, circa 1926–1930
Karl Blossfeldt
Karl Blossfeldt
Aspidium Filix Mas. Wurmfarn, circa 1926–1930
Karl Blossfeldt
untitled, circa 1926–1930
Karl Blossfeldt
untitled, circa 1926–1930
Karl Blossfeldt
Papaver Mohn, 1932
Karl Blossfeldt
untitled, circa 1926–1930
Karl Blossfeldt
untitled, circa 1926–1930
Karl Blossfeldt
Körbchenblütler, circa 1926–1930
George Andrew Tice
Tree #12, circa 1964–1965
George Andrew Tice
Tree #19, circa 1964–1965
George Andrew Tice
untitled, 1600s
George Andrew Tice
untitled, 1600s
George Andrew Tice
untitled, 1600s
George Andrew Tice
untitled, 1600s
George Andrew Tice
untitled, 1600s
George Andrew Tice
untitled, 1600s
George Andrew Tice
untitled, 1600s
George Andrew Tice
George Andrew Tice
George Andrew Tice
George Andrew Tice
William Sharp; John Fisk Allen
William Sharp; John Fisk Allen
William Sharp; John Fisk Allen
Doug Starn; Mike Starn
Renée Stout
Mark Kostabi
Carl Wilhelm Kolbe the elder
Isabella Kirkland; Trillium Graphics; Feature Inc.
Descendant, 2007–2008
Isabella Kirkland; Trillium Graphics; Feature Inc.
Ascendant, 2007–2008
Isabella Kirkland; Trillium Graphics; Feature Inc.
Trade, 2007–2008
Isabella Kirkland; Trillium Graphics; Feature Inc.
Collection, 2007–2008
Isabella Kirkland; Trillium Graphics; Feature Inc.
Back, 2007–2008
Isabella Kirkland; Trillium Graphics; Feature Inc.
Gone, 2007–2008
Rochester Lithographing and Printing Co.
Eduardo Kac
Eduardo Kac
Eduardo Kac
Plantimal I, 2009
Eduardo Kac
Plantimal II, 2009
Eduardo Kac
Plantimal IV, 2009
Ryan Oakes; Trevor Oakes
Cauli-Cosmos, 2014
Ryan Oakes; Trevor Oakes
Richard Selesnick; Nicholas Kahn
Jost Amman; Wenzel Jamnitzer
Jost Amman; Wenzel Jamnitzer
Plate B6, 1568
Jost Amman; Wenzel Jamnitzer
Plate C1, 1568
Jost Amman; Wenzel Jamnitzer
Plate C2, 1568
Jost Amman; Wenzel Jamnitzer
Plate C3, 1568
Dain L. Tasker
Lori Nix
Mall, 2010
Lori Nix
Observatory, 2015
A. Mary Kay
A. Mary Kay
Number 28. Stem and Seeds, 2004–2008–2011
A. Mary Kay
Katie Paterson
Andrew Raftery
Mark Dion
portfolio box, 2007–2011
Mark Dion
Marine Algae, 2007–2011
Mark Dion
Marine Algae, 2007–2011
Mark Dion
Marine Algae, 2007–2011
Mark Dion
Marine Algae, 2007–2011
Mark Dion
Marine Algae, 2007–2011
Mark Dion
Marine Algae, 2007–2011
Mark Dion
Marine Algae, 2007–2011
Laurence Aëgerter
Ernst Haeckel
Ernst Haeckel
Ernst Haeckel
Peter Randall-Page
José Antonio Suárez Londoño; Felix Harlan; Carol Weaver; Harlan & Weaver
untitled, 2014–2015
José Antonio Suárez Londoño; Felix Harlan; Carol Weaver; Harlan & Weaver
untitled, 2014–2015
José Antonio Suárez Londoño; Felix Harlan; Carol Weaver; Harlan & Weaver
untitled, 2014–2015
José Antonio Suárez Londoño; Felix Harlan; Carol Weaver; Harlan & Weaver
untitled, 2014–2015
José Antonio Suárez Londoño; Felix Harlan; Carol Weaver; Harlan & Weaver
untitled, 2014–2015
José Antonio Suárez Londoño; Felix Harlan; Carol Weaver; Harlan & Weaver
untitled, 2014–2015
unrecorded Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) or Mi'kmaq (Micmac) artist
small basket with lid, late 1800s–early 1900s
Israhel van Meckenem the younger; Master of the Housebook
The Lovers, late 1400s
Rohini Devasher
Rohini Devasher
Chimera - 2, 2008
Heather Ackroyd; Dan Harvey
Maria Sibylla Merian
John Gerard
title page, 1636
Laurence Aëgerter
Andrew Raftery
Andrew Raftery
Andrew Raftery
APRIL: Edging the Beds, 2009–2016
Andrew Raftery
Andrew Raftery
Andrew Raftery
JULY: Fertilizing, 2009–2016
Andrew Raftery
AUGUST: Deadheading, 2009–2016
Andrew Raftery
SEPTEMBER: Mowing, 2009–2016
Andrew Raftery
Andrew Raftery
Andrew Raftery
Sandy Winters
Sandy Winters
Karl Kröner
William Sharp; John Fisk Allen
Heather Ackroyd; Dan Harvey
Heather Ackroyd; Dan Harvey

Events

March 27, 2018
Talk
5:30–6:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Auditorium, 309
March 28, 2018
Conference
10:00AM–5:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art
March 30, 2018
Performance
12:00–1:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court, 317
April 11, 2018
Talk
5:30–6:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Auditorium, 309
April 13, 2018
Tour
9:00–10:50AM
Spencer Museum of Art, 315, 316, 317, 408
April 21, 2018
Activity
1:00–4:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court, 317
April 21, 2018
Performance
4:00–5:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court, 317
April 22, 2018
Talk
2:00–4:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court, 317, Spencer Museum of Art, Kemper Family Foundations Balcony, 408, Spencer Museum of Art, H.W. (Bill) and Marynell D. Reece Memorial Plaza
April 29, 2018
Activity
12:00–3:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art
May 2, 2018
Talk
5:30–6:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Auditorium, 309
May 3, 2018–June 5, 2025
Talk
10:00–11:00AM
The Commons, Spooner Hall, 1340 Jayhawk Blvd
May 19, 2018
Activity
1:00–4:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court, 317
May 24, 2018
Talk
10:00–11:00AM
Spencer Museum of Art, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court, 317
May 31, 2018
Screening
6:00–7:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art
June 8, 2018
Talk
1:00–2:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Jack and Lavon Brosseau Center for Learning, 318
June 14, 2018
Screening
6:00–7:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Auditorium, 309
June 28, 2018
Screening
6:00–8:00PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Auditorium, 309
July 15, 2018
Screening
2:00–3:30PM
Spencer Museum of Art, Auditorium, 309

Resources

Documents