Beyond science and fiction

The exhibition Science/Fiction — A Non-History of Plants is on view at Maison Européenne de la Photographie (La MEP), running from October 16th, 2024, to January 19th, 2025. Developed over the past several years, this innovative project explores the visual history of plants through a blend of art, technology, and science, featuring works from over 40 artists spanning different periods and nationalities. It presents a fascinating dialogue between historic and contemporary perspectives, bringing together iconic photographic works, such as Anna Atkins’ cyanotypes and Karl Blossfeldt’s plant form studies, alongside modern creations by artists like Jochen Lempert and Agnieszka Polska.

The exhibition is structured like a science fiction narrative, divided into six chapters that gradually take the viewer from familiar, recognizable depictions of nature to more speculative, surreal landscapes. The first two chapters, titled The Agency of Plants and Symbiosis and Contamination, explore scientific approaches to understanding plant life. For example, Laure Albin Guillot’s microscope experiments showcase plants at a cellular level, challenging how we perceive their complexity.

In later chapters, such as Beyond the Real and Speculative Fiction(s), the exhibition dives into more imaginative realms. Angelica Mesiti’s work, for instance, transcends traditional scientific boundaries, portraying plants in ways that question the divide between reality and fiction. Sam Falls‘ installation adds another dimension by integrating the natural environment directly into the exhibition, suggesting that plants themselves are active participants in shaping the narrative.

The overarching theme of Science/Fiction is to challenge anthropocentric views, encouraging viewers to consider plants as sentient beings with agency. The exhibition combines photography, video, and installation to highlight the intelligence and subjectivity of plant life. By blending scientific research with creative interpretation, the artists invite us to reimagine our relationship with the natural world, emphasizing the need for new narratives in the face of environmental challenges.