“Hang in there, handsome!” is a project that investigates the hidden architectures of vegetal resilience by examining the physical and biological support systems of plants, specifically focusing on how symbiotic relationships and structural features sustain botanical life.
The Large-flowered Hemp-nettle (Galeopsis speciosa), native to Northern and Central Europe, is central to this project. Its Latin epithet, speciosa, means ‘handsome.’ Despite its beauty, the Hemp-nettle produces irritant oils that are poisonous and can cause paralysis.
The research focuses on a part of the plant, the calyx, located in clustered formations, which protects the flower bud, shields it from insects, and supports the petals after blooming. Beneath its star-like calyx, the caterpillar stirs – a close-up study of interspecies encounter.
In the AR-object, a reinterpretation of the stem intertwines Art Nouveau ornamentation from Riga with the plant’s own spiked anatomy.
Ultimately, this work reflects the necessity of support systems, both botanical and human. Even the smallest star can uphold a structure and prevent collapse.