Client: Chicago Botanic Garden

Overview

Rhizomatic is a collaborative art installation between Essentials Creative collective and the scientists and staff at the Chicago Botanic Garden. The project is inspired by the rhizome as a philosophical concept developed by theorists Deleuze and Guattari. The installation weaves together cultural and scientific stories about diversity and collaboration. Featured plants in the artwork include ginkgo biloba, pawpaw, horsetail, white sage, eastern prairie fringed orchid, kernza, and amaranth. We aim to contribute to multicultural perspectives on plants, share the Garden’s scientific research, and explore rhizomes as a metaphor for interconnectedness.

Goals

Commissioned artwork is key to our creative work. It helps us amplify diverse voices, support underrepresented artists, and gain unique perspectives. By incorporating these viewpoints, we create immersive experiences that embody our principles of diversity and experimentation, while showcasing varied talents in holistic applied arts.

Process

Our four-person team works fluidly across disciplines, embracing diverse perspectives. We brainstorm openly, refine ideas collectively, and leverage our varied skills in photography, design, illustration and multimedia art. Regular check-ins ensure cohesion while allowing individual creativity. We share knowledge freely, push boundaries together, and prioritize amplifying underrepresented voices. This collaborative approach, based on respect and experimentation, creates powerful, multifaceted art that challenges and inspires.

Additional Information

Rhizomatic, a site-specific installation at Chicago Botanic Garden, is created by Essentials Creative, a diverse collective of artists from Indigenous American, Asian, Latinx, and Queer backgrounds. Inspired by Deleuze and Guattari's concept of the rhizome, the installation explores the interconnected world of plants and people. The exhibit features 35 double-sided tapestries in seven rows, each focusing on a specific plant: ginkgo, amaranth, paw paw, white sage, eastern prairie fringed orchid, horsetail, and kernza. One side of each tapestry presents scientific information, emphasizing biodiversity and conservation, while the other highlights cultural stories from marginalized perspectives. The tapestries showcase intricate digital collages blending diverse visual elements, including photography, border motifs, and a custom rhizome-inspired font. Marginalized communities contributed their talents as designers, models, and stylists, enriching the installation's inclusive representation. Rhizomatic challenges traditional views of nature, promoting a more diverse, interconnected understanding of plants, ecosystems, and our relationships with them.