Farming Photographs
Farming Photographs is an innovative art-science project that uses photosynthesis-based natural colour variations in plants to cultivate legible, living images.
By growing plants in meticulously planned arrangements, leveraging their hues across the CMYK spectrum, and employing an algorithm to match tones to image pixels, I create self-sustaining photosynthesis-based living photographs.
Designed as a series of evolving iterations, the project redefines photography as a living, sustainable medium.Relying solely on sunlight and the natural pigments produced by photosynthesis, Farming Photographs fosters new dialogues on the materiality of photography, reframing it as a "light-writing" process carried out by living organisms.
This project draws inspiration from the natural phenomenon of eyespot mimicry—patterns resembling eyes used by animals to deter predators. A symbolic human eye is cultivated on the land, gazing back at us. It reflects our intrinsic connection to the Earth and its living inhabitants, prompting contemplation of humanity’s relationship with the land, our environmental impact, and our interdependence with nature.
The eyes the artworks depicts are designed using artificial intelligence, combining features from a wide spectrum of races and genders. These universal representations transcends individual identity, serving as a symbolic reflection of humanity as a collective whole.
Each iteration of the project uses local plant species directly connected to the hosting institution, forging a site-specific meaning while contributing to a cohesive, interconnected body of work. The selection of plants determines the longevity of each artwork: some are highly ephemeral (such as wheat grasses), while others employ enduring local flora capable of lasting decades, even centuries. These choices reflect the transient and dynamic relationship between humanity and the natural world.
Farming Photographs offers a unique synthesis of art, science, and ecology, addressing socio-ecological concerns while pushing the boundaries of artistic expression.
Iteration I: INRAE Toulouse, France
The first iteration of Framing Photographs will take root across INRAE’s fields in January 2025 and will be unveiled in June 2025.
Conceived with Nicolas Langlade and the overall support of the French National Institute for Agriculture Research (INRAE), this project leverages genetic data from INRAE’s extensive databases. By identifying genetic variations responsible for differences in wheat, this large-scale iteration will feature a striking two-hectare photographic artwork—the largest ever created—composed entirely of wheat grasses.
Cultivated without the use of pesticides, this iteration relies solely on wheat grasses, which are typically subjected to 7 to 9 chemical treatments per agricultural cycle (year). By combining diverse wheat grass varieties within a single plot, the project adopts natural farming methods, encouraging reflection on both sustainable art production and sustainable food systems. Wheat, a staple ingredient in European diets, is one of the most chemically treated crops; this work highlights alternative farming approaches.
Using a blend of ancient and modern seeds, the piece also gestures towards the historical practices and cultures of European agriculture, their enduring legacy, and their potential relevance to future food security and sustainable living.This ephemeral artwork will be visible from June 2025 aligning with the wheat’s natural growth cycle.
