The word for world is forest.
Daniel Steegmann Mangrané looks at how diverse mediums and technologies can represent aspects of the Mata Atlântica.
Mata Atlântica, I now know is a rainforest stretching along the Atlantic coast of Brazil. Steegmann Mangrané provides a study into how environments can be portrayed, and in doing so, highlights the impossibilities of representation.
The Gallery that I enjoyed looking at was Living Thoughts (2019), a showcase of glass and epiphytic plants. Mata Atlântica is rich in biodiversity and is one of the most important biodiverse areas on Earth. However I have learnt that it is highly endangered, with only 7% of its original surface left. These hand-blown branches which species sprouting out and attaching themselves to them could mimic the layering of different species that occur in the rainforest.
The hanging branches gave me a glimpse of the dense, natural environment. The installation was so simple and minimal, hanging from the ceiling but surrounded my white walls. There was nothing to distract from the beautiful branches, each as intricate and unique as the next. The work did not need any dressing; it spoke loud enough for itself and had an impact on me.
It opened my eyes to how complex the environmental eco balance has become with environments being subjected to conflicting pressures, e.g. economic, ecological, geographic. It made me rethink the beauty of nature that is so often overlooked in our busy fast paced lives.
In my self-promotion project, I would like to combine the natural world with hand-crafted elements to create a business card and visual identity that captures attention but in a subtle way.
Rachel
rachelfoxweb.wordpress.com 