The Parliament of Plants proposes an urban environment where the wisdom of plants is highly valued for their knowledge of social and economic biotopes, as well as their deep understanding of natural processes. Woody, leafy, and flowering beings form here an hegemonic green democracy. With similar protocols to those currently used in the political arena, in this parliament of vegetation, legislators from different origins convene on a daily basis to debate current issues. Yet in contrast to the constant confrontation and tension found in “human” political contexts, this parliament of plants usually comes to a consensus and manages to come to agreements — despite having divergent views — because its members are aware of the importance of taking measures and acting decisively in areas regarding ecology, inclusion, tolerance, and diversity, with the understanding that their administration can only act towards the common good, basing their decisions on the principle of mutual care and support.

Photography: Ludger Paffrath / Vitra Design Museum

→ Read the inverview “Human habitats need to accommodate other living beings.” with Viviane Stappmanns, Garden Futures, 2023 (English)

→ Read “The Parliament of Plants and other Cautionary Tales, Where Stories Make Worlds and Worlds Make Stories”, by Céline Baumann in Conversation with Ethel Baraona Pohl, Solitude Journal, 2020 (English)

→ Read the review of “What is radical today?” by George Kafka for Metropolis magazine, 2019 (external link)

→ Limited artist’s proof of the “Parliament of Plants” images available. Edition of 54.2 x 29.7cm, printed on Hahnemuhle Bright White 310g paper 100% cotton, signed and hand-numbered. Contact us for more information.