ART PRODUCTION FUND x HOUSE OF PERONI

“Glass Garden Lost & Found: Of Healing & Knowledge”

Inspired by the Orto Botanico di Padova, the world’s oldest academic botanical garden in Padua (est. 1545), this work picks from its collection of healing and poisonous plants, presenting them either living or hand-carved from sugar.

Representing the original purpose of the Botanical Garden, and where legend has it the Medici's concocted poisons with which to smite their enemies, artist Maayan Zilberman offered guests a chance to exchange a Roman Chamomile blossom, representing a manifestation of communal healing and growth, for a nectar and edible gold-infused candy Oleander sprig, a lethal plant symbolizing knowledge and awakening. Maayan offered each guest a chance to become one with the theme of the exhibition, replacing one piece of organic material with an edible version of itself, allowing the viewer to help the sculpture installation of edible flowers and plants come to life with each participation. Each day the artist invited guests to take part in this trade at Glass Garden Lost & Found between 2 - 4PM, the hours we are most alert according to the Circadian Rhythm.