“The Restless Earth,” an exhibition of Camille Henrot currently at the New Museum, derives its name from a poem by Martinican writer Édouard Glissant, whose work deals with colonialism and diversity. Inspired by his themes of classification, Henrot created floral arrangements that correspond to each book in her library. The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath is a simple yet melancholic posy of lily flowers. Others are more elaborately constructed, incorporating synthetic materials into the bouquet sculptures.
The ikebana arrangements reflect on systems of visual information and typography, connecting literature, philosophy and anthropology. To accompany the art, Henrot has laid out specific descriptions that relay the meaning of each piece.
New Museum, 2014
Henrot’s pieces from “Jewels from the Personal Collection of Princess Salimah Aga Khan” that are included in the exhibition were first featured in New York at the Emily Harvey Foundation curated by Astrid de Maismont. The show also includes her video Grosse Fatigue for which she won a Silver Lion at the 55th Venice Biennale.
“The Restless Earth” will be on view at the New Museum through June 29.
Courtesy New Museum, New York. Photo: Benoit Pailley
