Some Place Studio: Green Brush

One of the most enduring design trends of the past decade is the integration of a growing number of plants into domestic and business interiors as a way to “reconnect” with nature. A parallel trend to that of indoor plants has been to visually reduce technology, particularly in the home. While the plants have become more apparent, large and lush, the technological objects have a decreased visual presence, becoming thin, wireless and sleek.

The Green Brush is questioning these two opposing trends, looking at plants as technological objects backed by a billion dollar industry, optimized for climate controlled interiors and minimal gardening know-how. While plants are placed in isolation in individual pots, the internet is providing an ever denser web of information, connecting computers, appliances and humans to a global network. The Green Brush is alluding to digital processes done in software like Photoshop, where greenwashing is applied to digital images as a layer of thin veneer. Similarly, sustainability and the use of plants in architecture is often a mere decorative feature, using the visual qualities of plants for the illusion of an integrated ecology.

The exhibition will take the form of a gadget-heavy home with plants sprouting from domestic appliances, creating unlikely sculptural objects. Invited thought leaders will host curated discussion groups around the Green Brush concept in five weeks of public hybrid programming with audiences invited to join virtually. At the show’s end—which will take the form of a live-streamed event—local participants will be encouraged to take home the plant sculptures, dissolving the exhibition and moving the plants into functionally domestic spaces.

Events:
Discussion group: Reforesting Ideas: September 14–October 5
An Introduction to Plant Thinking, hosted by Valeria Meiller (online)
Discussion group: The plants in our lives: September 22–October 13
Four chapters of a global epic, hosted by Elena Seegers & Simon de Dreuille (online)
Q&A with Lily Kwong: September 29, 6–7pm (online)
Panel discussion: October 15, 7–9pm, with Some Place Studio and guests

Some Place Studio, founded by Bika Rebek and Daniel Prost, is an architectural studio designing physical and virtual spaces for the public. The practice is defined by an expansive interest in contemporary issues, through the lens of architectural discourse and technology. Specifically, the Studio is interested in questions of sustainability and equity, seeking collaboration, flexibility and diversity in their work, partners and clients.

Some Place Studio Team: Bika Rebek, Daniel Prost, Ngozi Olojede, Axelle Dechelette, Juliane Röthig
Contributing artist: Anna Paul
Experts and Contributors: Valeria Meiller, Elena Seeger and Simon De Dreuille (Botanical Agency), Lily Kwong

MAGAZIN is an exhibition space for contemporary architecture in Vienna run by Jerome Becker, Matthias Moroder and Florian Schafschetzy. MAGAZIN presents the work of local and international architects in solo exhibitions that are especially conceived for the spaces in the Weyringergasse location—framed by corresponding publications and lectures.