David Bowen

Please note: The machete used in this artwork is blunted and in no way condones violence of any kind.

Does nature have to be human-like to get our attention?

Don’t get too close! Anyone who has ever let a houseplant die might want to give their careless behaviour a rethink. The power is going back to the plants. An ordinary philodendron makes its boundaries known when finally given the agency to strike back – wielding a machete to defend against scary humans. A common tool used to hack through plant life and make space for human structures, the might of the machete is handed to the plant with the help of biosensors and a robotic arm. It may seem strange to see a plant with seemingly violent tendencies – but can we blame them when we regularly treat nature like garbage?

Is nature violent by nature, or is that a human thing?

David Bowen (USA) is a studio artist and educator known for his kinetic sculptures that are driven by real-world data from natural phenomenon. While technology has enabled us to control and model phenomena with unprecedented precision, it may also provide a means to understand the world in a more intimate, visceral way. He is currently an Associate Professor of Sculpture and Physical Computing at the University of Minnesota.

Photography: Matthew Stanton

PLANT MACHETE