Would Linnaeus ever have started the project to map all the world's plants if he would have known how infinitely many species there were on earth? Or if he knew that evolution means that everything is in constant change? A Linnean collection reflects over the Enlightenment's eager exploration and mapping of nature and touches on questions about the interplay between religion, colonialism and economics.
By illuminating the almost 300 years old herbarium sheet from below they are visually brought back to life. At a time when the number of species of both plants and animals is greatly reduced on earth, we can stop and reflect on the beauty of this collection of plants that is slowly degrading to pieces. In the end everything will turn to dust.
Would Linnaeus ever have started the project to map all the world's plants if he would have known how infinitely many species there were on earth? Or if he knew that evolution means that everything is in constant change? A Linnean collection reflects over the Enlightenment's eager exploration and mapping of nature and touches on questions about the interplay between religion, colonialism and economics.
By illuminating the almost 300 years old herbarium sheet from below they are visually brought back to life. At a time when the number of species of both plants and animals is greatly reduced on earth, we can stop and reflect on the beauty of this collection of plants that is slowly degrading to pieces. In the end everything will turn to dust.