Paludarium, When the Science of Flowers Becomes an Art Form

Inspired by the first models of paludariums—systems designed to protect plants—Azuma Makoto has devised a variety of installations. His Paludarium TACHIKO, created in 2019 as part of a series, relies on four elements: rain, wind, light, and sound.

It was while working at Tokyo’s flower market that Azuma Makoto developed his passion, which led him to found Jardins des Fleurs in 2002, a flower studio for individuals and companies all over the world. Born in 1976, Azuma Makoto saw his career take an artistic direction in 2005, and applied his knowledge to produce installations that transform flowers and plants into a means of expression. In 2008, he founded AMKK (Azuma Makoto Kaju Kenkyujo), a company that specialises in experimental floral creations.

A high-tech version of a 19th-century creation

Azuma Makoto’s intention is to recreate a complete ecological cycle by artificial means, much like terrariums and aquariums do. To achieve this, the artist draws on the principle of the Wardian Case, invented in England in the 19th century. This system, initially designed for the transportation of plants from British colonies, made it possible to observe growth cycles in a closed environment. Azuma Makoto has developed a high-tech version of the tool.

‘This machine is fully equipped with a drip feed-water system and a mist machine […] to control the inside temperature and humidity. It can also fully capture natural light thanks to glass on all sides, and one can observe a plant in detail through the original flower magnifying glass hanging in the front’, the artist explains on his website.

Although the Paludarium TACHIKO was acquired by a private collector, the artist has revealed that he is working on the continuation of the series, and is creating new versions.

In another of his experiments, Azuma Makoto went to the Black Rock Desert in Nevada for his Exobiotanica project. This installation invites the viewer to observe the life of a plant suspended in space.

Azuma Makoto’s work can be discovered in the book Flower Art: Makoto Azuma (2019), published by Thames & Hudson. More information can be found on the artist’s website.