Science meets art to unlock nature's hidden connections

A universal symbol of both joy and sorrow, flowers are reimagined in black to turn natural representation into ecological reflection, prompting viewers to re-examine their place in the natural world.

Black Flowers is an extension of Ben-David's landmark Blackfield series, marking the classic body of work's first large-scale presentation in China. The artist notes that the series is a monumental project spanning 12 to 15 years: "My first installation, Blackfield, has 30,000 miniature flowers of 900 species, displayed with black side first and color revealed later, which is a metaphor for life with both tragedy and joy."

Ben-David adds: "This exhibition is necessary because it allows people to feel and think about nature in a new way, which is crucial for the current ecological environment."

Echoing this message is Rodrigo Arteaga's site-specific work Fallen Tree. Crafted from Shanghai's native tree branches and completed over a month in the museum, it is paired with his other piece, Monocultures — burnt paper sheets that capture the damage caused by ecological simplification. Together, the two works convey that the forest is not a static entity, but a dynamic space of constant connection, transformation and imbalance.

"You don't see the actual plant, but rather you see the absence, and the way of making it remembers or comes back to the forest fires that happen every year in Chile and in other places," Arteaga explains.

Two Chinese artists also joined the exhibition. Wang Yuyang of the Central Academy of Fine Arts explores the "third nature" in the technological age through Plant 002 and Biological Klein Blue, employing AI algorithms and microbial techniques; Liu Zhenchen's Panacea series captures traces of medicinal plants on canvas, imbuing natural textures with a therapeutic quality.

Ninety percent of the works are making their Shanghai debut and their first appearance at the natural history museum. The exhibition also integrates 290,000 forest-related specimens from the museum's collection, forging a cross-temporal dialogue between artistic creation and natural heritage.

heqi@chinadaily.com.cn