Sarah Peters
The Botanical Fainting Couch
2011
Cast bronze, edition of 8
Located in the Museum’s courtyard, The Botanical Fainting Couch is an award-winning taxonomy-themed sculpture that is made up of the twenty-six letters of the alphabet. It functions fully as a garden bench, so we encourage close-up examination and exploration. Each letter has the texture of a different plant, identified by the Latin genus (the scientific name) that begins with that letter. A is for Acer, B is for Begonia, C is for Comptonia, etc. The sculpture celebrates the natural world around us. It opens our eyes to the most delicate details, but also begs us to seek more understanding of the broader picture.
The sculpture is the culmination of nearly five years of work that included investigation into plants and scientific classification, experimentation with materials, and innovation in technique that is unique to Peters’ work. The project required patience, as each of the impressions in bronze was made from a real plant. Changing seasons would prevent or provide access for the artist to new materials and the plant materials themselves dictated their suitability for the project.
The sculpture can be enjoyed in many ways, first from a distance as shape and shadows become evident. Upon closer inspection, the letters become distinguishable and the contrast of textures and plant recognition inspire curiosity and delightful ‘aha’ moments.
Research for the sculpture was conducted under the guidance of botanists at the Harvard University Herbaria, in Cambridge, MA. The classifications are universal, and, therefore, speak to an international audience.
