Earthquake Stabilisation Systems I & II (Echinopsis Pachanoi)

2020
200cm x 40cm x 30cm
Plexiglass, Aluminium

Earthquake Stabilisation Systems is a series of over-designed devices intending to stabilise cacti in the eventuality of an earthquake.

This project grew out of the interest in mankind's need to control and play god, for example building in earthquake zones requires complex engineering to protect buildings from disaster.

What is the use of such a system when nature would, by itself, prevail through such events without human assistance?

These prosthetics serve a short function at the early stages of life, to help the cactus take root and remain upright, before becoming restrictive to the plants they are intended to protect.

Both the cacti and plastic stands are re-purposed – the cacti saved from disposal from an art project at a bronze foundry in Berlin and the acrylic acquired during the disassembly of an institutional exhibition (Humboldt Forum on Museum Isel, Berlin) about ocean microplastics. Instead of being thrown away, the plastic pieces now serve a new function as a literal support to nature.

The piece explores our care or over-care of nature – evidently the cacti are not flourishing, far away from their natural habitat of Peru (Euphorbia Triangularis) and Kenya (Cissus Albiporcata). The change in light, heat and space afforded to the plants can be traced through their physical growth – a timeline of the plants’ condition, indicating their health before and after transportation and captivity.

The spring loaded supports require their own evolution and growth to keep up with the cactus.