"Flowers Forever"
Flowers in art and culture | February 3 – August 27, 2023 | Kunsthalle München
In June, had the privilege to experience the “FLOWERS FOREVER” exhibition at the Kunsthalle München recently.
Flowers have graced maps, adorning the margins with intricate blooms, and whispered secrets encoded within their petals. Upon the pages of botanical drawings, meticulously rendered in ink, capturing the essence of nature's diverse tapestry. They have even found solace in the tender embrace of Buddha statues, emanating serenity and enlightenment.
Across the ancient Egyptian tablets, to the opulent strokes of classical and romantic paintings, flowers blossomed, their vibrant hues transcending the mere confines of pigment, speaking to the depths of human emotion.
Engraved upon wooden cabinets and vases, flowers etched their essence into time, with the intricacies of craftsmanship. Even the discerning lens of Andreas Gursky, captured the essence of tulips fields, immortalizing their ephemeral grace within the confines of the still image. They have become subjects of profound political artworks, bearing witness to the power and societal transformation.
The "FLOWERS FOREVER" exhibition revealed a captivating world where the delicate beauty and enduring strength of nature melded harmoniously with the limitless creativity of artistic vision.
Amazed by the meticulous curation and the harmonious interplay of space, volume, and an extraordinary array of artistic mediums. ‘Flowers in Arts and Culture’ was from the mundane allure of everyday objects to the timeless allure of traditional art, from the captivating realms of digital art to the thought-provoking narratives of political masterpieces spanning past, present, and future, the exhibition wove together a mesmerizing narrative of the enduring significance of blooms in the tapestry of human existence.
In the political section, was mesmerized by the British Gabonese artist OWANTO’s artwork Flowers 2/4, 2018. This captivating creation unveiled the enigmatic visages of two young women, their B&W analog portrait photograph veiled by hand-crafted layers of 3D porcelain blossoms, rendering them unrecognizable, resembling anyone and everyone.
At its core, this profound artwork delves into the intricate complexities of patriarchal power structures and the grim reality of female genital mutilation in African societies. Even in the present era, a staggering four million girls and women remain imperiled by the prospect of conforming to this deeply entrenched traditional practice annually, worldwide.
The artist employs delicate flowers as symbols of reclamation, endowing the afflicted with the restoration of their stolen dignity and physical agency, both mercilessly stripped away during the ceremonies. This masterful composition transcends mere aesthetics, directing our gaze toward the interplay between personal and collective memory while asserting the artist's belief that individual emotions hold intrinsic political relevance.
