Modern Nature (Research - Work in Progress)

Gardens exist at the intersection of natural and human-made environments, and throughout history, various ideals of nature have guided their design, connecting the human desire to be surrounded by nature with the desire to control it. As we engage with botany and craft landscapes while transplanting natural elements from diverse times and geographies, questions arise on how to occupy the land, select plants, and, ultimately, create aesthetic compositions.

Gardens are sites of joy and grounding; they are sanctuaries, often associated with paradise, yet they are also embedded in power relations and carry multiple stories through their spaces and plants. From containers to the scale of the land, the creation of gardens, or modern natures, involves political, environmental, social, and cultural issues.

This research explores how Latinx artists investigate this typology based on idealized versions of nature, considering Latin American and Caribbean histories as well as themes such as botany, deforestation, and urbanization, particularly after the 19th century. Looking at artworks in various formats—including painting, photography, installation, and performance—this research examines the significance of garden elements through the lenses of place, geography, and interconnected territories, bringing together perspectives that encourage us to reflect on this captivating miniature landscape and the different symbols it can represent.