Phases of a Flower

Phases of a Flower

Figure 21 - van der Linden, A., (2019) Phases of a Flower, sculptural installation design sketch

 Figure 21 shows the design sketch of Phases of a Flower

‘Phases of a Flower’ are a set of five individual pieces each with their own symbolic meaning. Together, these individual pieces from one installation piece that becomes the metaphor of my study period at DUT. The installation consists of a set of five sculptural pieces in oxidized copper and sterling silver that realistically resemble flowers in different phases of a life cycle from a bud to a wilting flower. I have made these pieces to mimic nature in form and movement by creating the petals to move in the last three flowers. Movement has allowed this installation to become very tactile and sensory-stimulating to the senses of sight and sound. View the different flowers, Bud, Transitioning, Fresh, Mature and Wilting)

I was inspired by the ‘Magrietjie’ flower. The ‘Magrietjie’ is the Afrikaans name for the Marguerite Daisy, a common daisy-like flowering plant that comes in many different colours. It is also a plant that has a personal significance to me as it made up a part of my childhood. My mum had a 'Magrietjie' bush growing in the garden. Growing up, I remember playing with these flowers and the feeling of rubbing the petals across my fingers.

I have included the element of movement in the last three pieces so that there is a strong tactile element present when the flowers are picked up and touched by a viewer. The gentle feeling of the metal flower between my fingers allows me to think back to when I was a young girl and I used to pick flowers from the garden and play with their petals, bringing about a nostalgic feeling. I hope that the viewers of my piece will have a similar nostalgic experience when they engage with my pieces.