May 6, 2010
A historical look at potted plants being used to decorate exhibitions at the Walker Art Center, a common practice up until the 1970s. In these images they seem to act as the stand-ins for the patrons, sometimes aloof and in the background or congregating around the radiator as if in discussion. And then there are those that are really into the work, standing in front of a sculpture’s light, their shadows enveloping the work. Nowadays, for “a multitude of reasons, plants only reappear in the galleries if they are part of the artwork.”

A historical look at potted plants being used to decorate exhibitions at the Walker Art Center, a common practice up until the 1970s.

In these images they seem to act as the stand-ins for the patrons, sometimes aloof and in the background or congregating around the radiator as if in discussion. And then there are those that are really into the work, standing in front of a sculpture’s light, their shadows enveloping the work.

Nowadays, for “a multitude of reasons, plants only reappear in the galleries if they are part of the artwork.”

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