Florilegium SW7 by Jacques Nimki
We were delighted to join the Great Exhibition Road Festival's 2023 edition with a site-specific commission by Jacques Nimki 'Florilegium SW7' (2023) sited on the Dora House sculpture terrace from 25 May to 30 June.
Jacques Nimki’s Florilegium SW7 is a contemporary version of historical books of botanical drawings recording rare and exotic plants. The word comes from the Latin flos and legere: literally a gathering of flowers. The artist’s installation draws our attention to the soil rather than the flowers that need it to flourish. Soil, which is easy to overlook, is a complex organo-mineral. It plays a fundamental role in sustaining plant life. Nimki's work prompts us to look again at the natural world, whether hidden beneath the pavement or in plain sight.
As part of the Great Exhibition Road Festival, Jacques Nimki was in conversation with scientist Dr Bonnie Waring about how we perceive ourselves and others within environments in Hidden Worlds: Unearthing the wonder of soil and 'Underground Overground' drop-in sessions were run throughout the weekend of 17-18 June. At Dora House we also hosted Silver Roots for a Soil Science 101 Workshop which was also part of Chelsea Fringe.
This installation is generously supported by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851
