Green fingered.

Abstract

In partnership with Birmingham Pride Festival. The exhibition explores the possibility that those of homosexual persuasion are more likely to have a visceral impact on the cultivation of plants. During studies of communal lesbian gardeners throughout the 1970’s, German botanist Dr. Gerda Haeckel observed accelerated growth, crop abundance and overall increased vegetational health. Green Fingered investigates the territory of this research and visually interprets its findings through a series of specially commissioned artworks. Pherometer (2015) is a site specific suspended device that purports to measure the gradient of ‘ARQP’ (Atmospheric Responsive Queer Pheromones) in its vicinity through sensory plants attached via complex wired conduits. The Seed Series (2015) meanwhile is a collection of eight photographic portraits of some of Haeckel’s original subjects and their finest vegetable specimens. Trans Tent (2015) is an immersive, freestanding installation structure, akin to a hothouse and occupied by flora that respond to interaction through vibration and sound. Within it features a continually evolving kaleidoscopic audiovisual instructional guide to the rudiments of successful queer botany and futuristic predictions to the sustainability of bio produce. Marmalade invites the LGBT community to become subjects in the Trans Tent installation during Birmingham Pride weekend (23 to 24 May). This new video artwork incorporates performative excerpts and appropriated material in a parodic and absurdist response to the educational programmes of Haeckel’s era. Green Fingered explores how research in the medical and social sciences has to date focused on trying to identify genetic and psychological traits relating to sexuality. At a time when research continues to find the ‘gay gene’, Green Fingered coalesces aspects of gender and cultural studies with biological science through provocative visual experimentation.