Big Botany: Conversations with the Plant World

Exhibition

Stephen Goddard, curator

March 27, 2018–July 15, 2018

Galleries 315, 316, 317, and 408 Spencer Museum of Art, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas

Big Botany: Conversations with the Plant World will explore humankind’s deep connections and fascination with the plant kingdom through works from the Spencer’s collection, a number of significant loans, and commissions by living artists. The exhibition will be organized through several themes: artists' studies of plant forms; historic and contemporary plant lore; art dealing with ecological sustainability and biomechanical plant hybrids; plants in a post-human world; and works dealing with current scientific research on how plants sense the world and communicate.

An accompanying publication will document the project and include brief texts by artists and curators as well as biologists, ecologists, and philosophers. A range of educational programs will engage university students, youth and families, scholars, and citizen scientists with the exhibition's central themes and artists.

Exhibition images

Works of art

Une jeune personne calquant une Fleur (A Young Woman Tracing a Flower), Antoine-Jean Weber — Antoine-Jean Weber

Une jeune personne calquant une Fleur (A Young Woman Tracing a Flower), 1820–1875

untitled (Maskeron), Sebald Beham — Sebald Beham

untitled (Maskeron), 1543

Sammy Baird, Orval Hixon — Orval Hixon

Sammy Baird, 1925

design for a bracket panel for a Japanese pavillion, Thomas Jeckyll — Thomas Jeckyll

design for a bracket panel for a Japanese pavillion, 1876

untitled (view of the form of the flower mentioned on the thirteenth page), William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865) — William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865)

untitled (view of the form of the flower mentioned on the thirteenth page), 1854

Eryngium Bourgatii Mannetreau, Karl Blossfeldt — Karl Blossfeldt

Eryngium Bourgatii Mannetreau, circa 1926–1928

Double Bough, William Morris — William Morris

Double Bough, 1890

Robinia pseudo-acacia (America), Anna Atkins — Anna Atkins

Robinia pseudo-acacia (America), circa 1851–1854

untitled (under side of a leaf), William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865) — William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865)

untitled (under side of a leaf), 1854

untitled (young plants, frontispiece), William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865) — William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865)

untitled (young plants, frontispiece), 1854

Regiones Botánicas de la Tierra: Antillas No. 1, Lawrence Lithography Workshop; Susan Davidoff — Lawrence Lithography Workshop; Susan Davidoff

Regiones Botánicas de la Tierra: Antillas No. 1, 2001

Regiones Botánicas de la Tierra: Antillas No. 2, Lawrence Lithography Workshop; Susan Davidoff — Lawrence Lithography Workshop; Susan Davidoff

Regiones Botánicas de la Tierra: Antillas No. 2, 2002

"Aoxomoxoa," The Grateful Dead, The Sons of Champlin, Initital Shock, January 24-25-26, Avalon Ballroom, Richard Alden Griffin — Richard Alden Griffin

"Aoxomoxoa," The Grateful Dead, The Sons of Champlin, Initital Shock, January 24-25-26, Avalon Ballroom, 1969

untitled, Karl Blossfeldt — Karl Blossfeldt

untitled, circa 1926–1930

Trollius Ledeboura, Troll-Dotter blume, Karl Blossfeldt — Karl Blossfeldt

Trollius Ledeboura, Troll-Dotter blume, circa 1926–1930

Aspidium Filix Mas. Wurmfarn, Karl Blossfeldt — Karl Blossfeldt

Aspidium Filix Mas. Wurmfarn, circa 1926–1930

Papaver Mohn, Karl Blossfeldt — Karl Blossfeldt

Papaver Mohn, 1932

Körbchenblütler, Karl Blossfeldt — Karl Blossfeldt

Körbchenblütler, circa 1926–1930

Tree #12, George Andrew Tice — George Andrew Tice

Tree #12, circa 1964–1965

Tree #19, George Andrew Tice — George Andrew Tice

Tree #19, circa 1964–1965

untitled (opening flower), William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865) — William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865)

untitled (opening flower), 1854

untitled (intermediate stages of bloom), William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865) — William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865)

untitled (intermediate stages of bloom), 1854

untitled (complete bloom), William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865) — William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865)

untitled (complete bloom), 1854

Structure of Thought 15, Doug Starn (born 1961); Mike Starn (born 1961) — Doug Starn (born 1961); Mike Starn (born 1961)

Structure of Thought 15, 2001–2005

Root Chart #1, Renée Stout — Renée Stout

Root Chart #1, 2006

Flaws are Opportunities, Mark Kostabi (born 1960) — Mark Kostabi (born 1960)

Flaws are Opportunities, 1983

Die Kuh im Sumpf (The Cow in the Swamp), Carl Wilhelm Kolbe the elder — Carl Wilhelm Kolbe the elder

Die Kuh im Sumpf (The Cow in the Swamp), circa 1800–1803

Le bon Samaritain (The good Samaritan), Rodolphe Bresdin — Rodolphe Bresdin

Le bon Samaritain (The good Samaritan), 1861

Descendant, Isabella Kirkland (born 1954); Trillium Graphics (founded 1979); Feature Inc. — Isabella Kirkland (born 1954); Trillium Graphics (founded 1979); Feature Inc.

Descendant, 2007–2008

Ascendant, Isabella Kirkland (born 1954); Trillium Graphics (founded 1979); Feature Inc. — Isabella Kirkland (born 1954); Trillium Graphics (founded 1979); Feature Inc.

Ascendant, 2007–2008

Trade, Isabella Kirkland (born 1954); Trillium Graphics (founded 1979); Feature Inc. — Isabella Kirkland (born 1954); Trillium Graphics (founded 1979); Feature Inc.

Trade, 2007–2008

Collection, Isabella Kirkland (born 1954); Trillium Graphics (founded 1979); Feature Inc. — Isabella Kirkland (born 1954); Trillium Graphics (founded 1979); Feature Inc.

Collection, 2007–2008

Back, Isabella Kirkland (born 1954); Trillium Graphics (founded 1979); Feature Inc. — Isabella Kirkland (born 1954); Trillium Graphics (founded 1979); Feature Inc.

Back, 2007–2008

Gone, Isabella Kirkland (born 1954); Trillium Graphics (founded 1979); Feature Inc. — Isabella Kirkland (born 1954); Trillium Graphics (founded 1979); Feature Inc.

Gone, 2007–2008

Field Museum, Helianthus, 1905, Terry Evans — Terry Evans

Field Museum, Helianthus, 1905, 2000

apple tree salesman's sample book, Rochester Lithographing and Printing Co. (active 1870–1900s) — Rochester Lithographing and Printing Co. (active 1870–1900s)

apple tree salesman's sample book, early 1900s

Edunia Seed Pack #1, Eduardo Kac (born 1962) — Eduardo Kac (born 1962)

Edunia Seed Pack #1, 2009

Edunia Seed Pack #4, Eduardo Kac (born 1962) — Eduardo Kac (born 1962)

Edunia Seed Pack #4, 2009

Console of scrolling foliate forms with flowers and two birds, and a hunter shooting rabbits, Esaias van Hulsen (circa 1585–1624) — Esaias van Hulsen (circa 1585–1624)

Console of scrolling foliate forms with flowers and two birds, and a hunter shooting rabbits, circa 1610s

untitled (bouquet of flowers in ornate vase, with insects), Michiel Snyders (1586–1672) — Michiel Snyders (1586–1672)

untitled (bouquet of flowers in ornate vase, with insects), 1612–1614

Plantimal I, Eduardo Kac (born 1962) — Eduardo Kac (born 1962)

Plantimal I, 2009

Plantimal II, Eduardo Kac (born 1962) — Eduardo Kac (born 1962)

Plantimal II, 2009

Plantimal IV, Eduardo Kac (born 1962) — Eduardo Kac (born 1962)

Plantimal IV, 2009

Cauli-Cosmos, Ryan Oakes (born 1982); Trevor Oakes (born 1982) — Ryan Oakes (born 1982); Trevor Oakes (born 1982)

Cauli-Cosmos, 2014

Pine Cone Rhythm, Ryan Oakes (born 1982); Trevor Oakes (born 1982) — Ryan Oakes (born 1982); Trevor Oakes (born 1982)

Pine Cone Rhythm, 2014

King of Weeds, Richard Selesnick (born 1964); Nicholas Kahn (born 1964) — Richard Selesnick (born 1964); Nicholas Kahn (born 1964)

King of Weeds, 2013

Title page (III. Terra. Hexaedron), Jost Amman (1539–1591); Wenzel Jamnitzer (1507 or 1508–1585) — Jost Amman (1539–1591); Wenzel Jamnitzer (1507 or 1508–1585)

Title page (III. Terra. Hexaedron), 1568

Plate B6, Jost Amman (1539–1591); Wenzel Jamnitzer (1507 or 1508–1585) — Jost Amman (1539–1591); Wenzel Jamnitzer (1507 or 1508–1585)

Plate B6, 1568

Plate C1, Jost Amman (1539–1591); Wenzel Jamnitzer (1507 or 1508–1585) — Jost Amman (1539–1591); Wenzel Jamnitzer (1507 or 1508–1585)

Plate C1, 1568

Plate C2, Jost Amman (1539–1591); Wenzel Jamnitzer (1507 or 1508–1585) — Jost Amman (1539–1591); Wenzel Jamnitzer (1507 or 1508–1585)

Plate C2, 1568

Plate C3, Jost Amman (1539–1591); Wenzel Jamnitzer (1507 or 1508–1585) — Jost Amman (1539–1591); Wenzel Jamnitzer (1507 or 1508–1585)

Plate C3, 1568

Fuschia [Fuchsia], Dain L. Tasker (1872–1964) — Dain L. Tasker (1872–1964)

Fuschia [Fuchsia], 1938

Mall, Lori Nix (born 1969) — Lori Nix (born 1969)

Mall, 2010

Observatory, Lori Nix (born 1969) — Lori Nix (born 1969)

Observatory, 2015

Number 47. Milkweed, Iris, Trumpet Vine Seedpods, A. Mary Kay (born 1954) — A. Mary Kay (born 1954)

Number 47. Milkweed, Iris, Trumpet Vine Seedpods, 2004–2008

Number 11. Leaf Skeleton, A. Mary Kay (born 1954) — A. Mary Kay (born 1954)

Number 11. Leaf Skeleton, 2004–2008

Number 28. Stem and Seeds, A. Mary Kay (born 1954) — A. Mary Kay (born 1954)

Number 28. Stem and Seeds, 2004–2008–2011

Number 20. Hosta Leaves, A. Mary Kay (born 1954) — A. Mary Kay (born 1954)

Number 20. Hosta Leaves, 2016

Future Library (certificate), Katie Paterson (born 1981) — Katie Paterson (born 1981)

Future Library (certificate), 2014–2114

L'Entomologiste (The Entomologist or The Insect Collector), Jean-Émile Laboureur (1877–1943) — Jean-Émile Laboureur (1877–1943)

L'Entomologiste (The Entomologist or The Insect Collector), 1932–1933

JANUARY: Reading Seed Catalogs, Andrew Raftery — Andrew Raftery

JANUARY: Reading Seed Catalogs, 2009–2016

Mechanical Orchid Triptych, Cypripedium Acaule aka Lady Slipper, Justin Amrhein (born 1979) — Justin Amrhein (born 1979)

Mechanical Orchid Triptych, Cypripedium Acaule aka Lady Slipper, 2014

Mechanical Orchid Triptych, Vanda Coerulea aka Blue Vanda, Justin Amrhein (born 1979) — Justin Amrhein (born 1979)

Mechanical Orchid Triptych, Vanda Coerulea aka Blue Vanda, 2014

Mechanical Orchid Triptych, Psychopsis Papilio aka Butterfly Orchid, Justin Amrhein (born 1979) — Justin Amrhein (born 1979)

Mechanical Orchid Triptych, Psychopsis Papilio aka Butterfly Orchid, 2014

portfolio box, Mark Dion (born 1961) — Mark Dion (born 1961)

portfolio box, 2007–2011

Marine Algae, Mark Dion (born 1961) — Mark Dion (born 1961)

Marine Algae, 2007–2011

Healing Plants for Hurt Landscapes, Laurence Aëgerter (born 1972) — Laurence Aëgerter (born 1972)

Healing Plants for Hurt Landscapes, 2015

Moss (Muscinae), Ernst Haeckel (1834–1919) — Ernst Haeckel (1834–1919)

Moss (Muscinae), 1904

Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae), Ernst Haeckel (1834–1919) — Ernst Haeckel (1834–1919)

Nepenthes (Nepenthaceae), 1904

Orchids (Orchidae), Ernst Haeckel (1834–1919) — Ernst Haeckel (1834–1919)

Orchids (Orchidae), 1904

Mechanical Orchid Parts Catalogue, Justin Amrhein (born 1979) — Justin Amrhein (born 1979)

Mechanical Orchid Parts Catalogue, 2015

Fibonacci Flip II, Peter Randall-Page (born 1954) — Peter Randall-Page (born 1954)

Fibonacci Flip II, 2003

untitled, José Antonio Suárez Londoño (born 1955); Felix Harlan (born 1951); Carol Weaver (born 1955); Harlan & Weaver (founded 1984) — José Antonio Suárez Londoño (born 1955); Felix Harlan (born 1951); Carol Weaver (born 1955); Harlan & Weaver (founded 1984)

untitled, 2014–2015

small basket with lid, unrecorded Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) or Mi'kmaq (Micmac) artist — unrecorded Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) or Mi'kmaq (Micmac) artist

small basket with lid, late 1800s–early 1900s

The Lovers, Israhel van Meckenem the younger; Master of the Housebook — Israhel van Meckenem the younger; Master of the Housebook

The Lovers, late 1400s

The Seed Smuggler's Luggage, Mark Dion (born 1961) — Mark Dion (born 1961)

The Seed Smuggler's Luggage, 2008

Vault Interior, Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Spitsbergen Island, Norway, Dornith Doherty (born 1957) — Dornith Doherty (born 1957)

Vault Interior, Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Spitsbergen Island, Norway, 2010

Kernza® (intermediate wheatgrass), Thinopyrum intermedium, Jim Richardson (born 1947) — Jim Richardson (born 1947)

Kernza® (intermediate wheatgrass), Thinopyrum intermedium, 2009

Compass Plant, Silphium laciniatum, Jim Richardson (born 1947) — Jim Richardson (born 1947)

Compass Plant, Silphium laciniatum, 2009

Archetype - 1, Rohini Devasher (born 1978) — Rohini Devasher (born 1978)

Archetype - 1, 2007

Chimera - 2, Rohini Devasher (born 1978) — Rohini Devasher (born 1978)

Chimera - 2, 2008

Taraxacum officinale i.a. - Gaza, Palestina, Laurence Aëgerter (born 1972) — Laurence Aëgerter (born 1972)

Taraxacum officinale i.a. - Gaza, Palestina, 2015

After Nature (coding and re-coding nature), Mathias Kessler (born 1968) — Mathias Kessler (born 1968)

After Nature (coding and re-coding nature), 2018

The Satanic Formula (after Senanayake), Heather Ackroyd (born 1959); Dan Harvey (born 1959) — Heather Ackroyd (born 1959); Dan Harvey (born 1959)

The Satanic Formula (after Senanayake), 2018

Flora of Kansas, Anton Olson, white daisy, 1886, Terry Evans — Terry Evans

Flora of Kansas, Anton Olson, white daisy, 1886, 2000

Flora of Kansas, Anton Olson, blue wild indigo, 1886, Terry Evans — Terry Evans

Flora of Kansas, Anton Olson, blue wild indigo, 1886, 2000

Flora of Kansas, Anton Olson, oenethera, 1886, Terry Evans — Terry Evans

Flora of Kansas, Anton Olson, oenethera, 1886, 2000

Flora of Kansas, Anton Olson, grass, 1886, Terry Evans — Terry Evans

Flora of Kansas, Anton Olson, grass, 1886, 2000

Flora of Kansas, Anton Olson, green milkweed, 1886, Terry Evans — Terry Evans

Flora of Kansas, Anton Olson, green milkweed, 1886, 2000

Plate XXVI Cacao, Maria Sibylla Merian (1647–1717) — Maria Sibylla Merian (1647–1717)

Plate XXVI Cacao, 1771

Volume 1, Plate I, Skeletons of Various Fruits, Albertus Seba (1665–1736) — Albertus Seba (1665–1736)

Volume 1, Plate I, Skeletons of Various Fruits, 1734–1765

Plate 34, Sumach Branch Cut Transversly, Nehemiah Grew (1641–1712) — Nehemiah Grew (1641–1712)

Plate 34, Sumach Branch Cut Transversly, 1682

title page, John Gerard (1545–1612) — John Gerard (1545–1612)

title page, 1636

Althaea officinalis – i.a. Al Ahmadi, Kuwait, Laurence Aëgerter (born 1972) — Laurence Aëgerter (born 1972)

Althaea officinalis – i.a. Al Ahmadi, Kuwait, 2015

Ruta graveolens i.a. - Barrington crater, Arizona, USA, Laurence Aëgerter (born 1972) — Laurence Aëgerter (born 1972)

Ruta graveolens i.a. - Barrington crater, Arizona, USA, 2015

Cannabis sativa i.a. - Coastal Japan, Laurence Aëgerter (born 1972) — Laurence Aëgerter (born 1972)

Cannabis sativa i.a. - Coastal Japan, 2015

FEBRUARY: Planting Seeds, Andrew Raftery — Andrew Raftery

FEBRUARY: Planting Seeds, 2009–2016

MARCH: Watering the Cold Frame, Andrew Raftery — Andrew Raftery

MARCH: Watering the Cold Frame, 2009–2016

APRIL: Edging the Beds, Andrew Raftery — Andrew Raftery

APRIL: Edging the Beds, 2009–2016

MAY: Cultivating Lettuce, Andrew Raftery — Andrew Raftery

MAY: Cultivating Lettuce, 2009–2016

JUNE: Training a Passion Vine, Andrew Raftery — Andrew Raftery

JUNE: Training a Passion Vine, 2009–2016

JULY: Fertilizing, Andrew Raftery — Andrew Raftery

JULY: Fertilizing, 2009–2016

AUGUST: Deadheading, Andrew Raftery — Andrew Raftery

AUGUST: Deadheading, 2009–2016

SEPTEMBER: Mowing, Andrew Raftery — Andrew Raftery

SEPTEMBER: Mowing, 2009–2016

OCTOBER: Bringing in Chrysanthemums, Andrew Raftery — Andrew Raftery

OCTOBER: Bringing in Chrysanthemums, 2009–2016

NOVEMBER: Digging Dahlia Tubers, Andrew Raftery — Andrew Raftery

NOVEMBER: Digging Dahlia Tubers, 2009–2016

DECEMBER: Contemplating in the Snow, Andrew Raftery — Andrew Raftery

DECEMBER: Contemplating in the Snow, 2009–2016

The Signal and the Noise, Sandy Winters — Sandy Winters

The Signal and the Noise, 2014–2018

Long Night's Journey into Day, Sandy Winters — Sandy Winters

Long Night's Journey into Day, 2014–2018

Waldflechte (Forest Lichens), Karl Kröner — Karl Kröner

Waldflechte (Forest Lichens), 1906

portfolio cover, William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865) — William Sharp (1803–1875); John Fisk Allen (1785–1865)

portfolio cover, 1854

Field Guide to Dr. Fairchild's Kampong Laboratory with Notes on the Surrounding Garden and Flora, Mark Dion (born 1961) — Mark Dion (born 1961)

Field Guide to Dr. Fairchild's Kampong Laboratory with Notes on the Surrounding Garden and Flora, 2016

The Jenks Society presents A Brief Guide to THE LOST MUSEUM, Providence, R.I., Mark Dion (born 1961) — Mark Dion (born 1961)

The Jenks Society presents A Brief Guide to THE LOST MUSEUM, Providence, R.I., 2014

A Field Guide and Handbook of Thoughts, Musings, Observations, Case Studies, and Histories (Alternative, Conventional & Otherwise) on on the Elevated Structure Formerly and Now Known as the HIGH..., Mark Dion (born 1961); Printed Matter, Inc. — Mark Dion (born 1961); Printed Matter, Inc.

A Field Guide and Handbook of Thoughts, Musings, Observations, Case Studies, and Histories (Alternative, Conventional & Otherwise) on on the Elevated Structure Formerly and Now Known as the HIGH..., 2013

Field Guide – Buffalo Bayou Invasive Plant Eradication Unit, Mark Dion (born 1961) — Mark Dion (born 1961)

Field Guide – Buffalo Bayou Invasive Plant Eradication Unit, after 2006

Field Guide to Ohio University Collections, Mark Dion (born 1961) — Mark Dion (born 1961)

Field Guide to Ohio University Collections, 2009

Mobile Gull Appreciation Unit / Field Guide, Mark Dion (born 1961) — Mark Dion (born 1961)

Mobile Gull Appreciation Unit / Field Guide, date unknown

Field Guide to the Wildlife of Mark Dion’s Seattle Vivarium, Olympic Sculpture Park, Mark Dion (born 1961) — Mark Dion (born 1961)

Field Guide to the Wildlife of Mark Dion’s Seattle Vivarium, Olympic Sculpture Park, after 2004

Mark Dion’s Urban Wildlife Observation Unit, Field Guide to the Wildlife of Madison Square Park, July 11–October 31, 2002, a Project of the Public Art Fund, Mark Dion (born 1961) — Mark Dion (born 1961)

Mark Dion’s Urban Wildlife Observation Unit, Field Guide to the Wildlife of Madison Square Park, July 11–October 31, 2002, a Project of the Public Art Fund, 2002

Nordic Genetic Resource Center Seed Vials, Svalbard Global Seed Vault, Dornith Doherty (born 1957) — Dornith Doherty (born 1957)

Nordic Genetic Resource Center Seed Vials, Svalbard Global Seed Vault, 2010

Barley Collection, Vavilov Institute for Plant Industry, St. Petersburg, Russia, Dornith Doherty (born 1957) — Dornith Doherty (born 1957)

Barley Collection, Vavilov Institute for Plant Industry, St. Petersburg, Russia, 2012

Seed Vault, Kuban Experimental Station of the VIR, Krasnodar Territory, Russia, Dornith Doherty (born 1957) — Dornith Doherty (born 1957)

Seed Vault, Kuban Experimental Station of the VIR, Krasnodar Territory, Russia, 2012

Greenhouse, Millennium Seed Bank, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, West Sussex, England, Dornith Doherty (born 1957) — Dornith Doherty (born 1957)

Greenhouse, Millennium Seed Bank, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, West Sussex, England, 2009

Antique Seed Collection, Western Australia Threatened Seed Centre, Kensington, Western Australia, Dornith Doherty (born 1957) — Dornith Doherty (born 1957)

Antique Seed Collection, Western Australia Threatened Seed Centre, Kensington, Western Australia, 2013

Acai Research, EMBRAPA Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasilia, Brazil, Dornith Doherty (born 1957) — Dornith Doherty (born 1957)

Acai Research, EMBRAPA Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Brasilia, Brazil, 2012

Incubator USADA ARS, National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA, Dornith Doherty (born 1957) — Dornith Doherty (born 1957)

Incubator USADA ARS, National Center for Genetic Resources Preservation, Fort Collins, Colorado, USA, 2009

American Prairie Lepidella (Amanita prairiicola Peck) Collected by Elam Bartholomew in the open Kansas prairie, September 17, 1896, 1896

Wolf lichen (Letharia vulpina (L.) Hue) Collected by Theodore L. Esslinger in Klickitat County, Washington, August 10, 1999, 1999

Mead's Milkweed (Asclepias meadii Torr) Collected by Ralph E. Brooks in Douglas County, Kansas, June 8, 1982, 1982

Western Prairie fringed orchid (Habenaria leucophaea (Nutt.) A. Gray [now recognized as Platanthera praeclara Sheviak & M.L. Bowles]) Collected by Magrath in Jefferson County, Kansas, June 23, 1969, 1969

Whitetinge sedge (Carex albicans Willd. ex Spreng. var albicans) Collected by Lewis David de Schweinitz, circa 1812–1821, circa 1812–1921

Canadian anemone (Renunculaceae/Anemone pennsylvanica [Anemone canadensis L.]) Collected by Lewis Lindsay Dyche in Lawrence, Kansas, circa 1878–1915, circa 1878–1915

Blacksamson echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia DC.) Collected by Ronald L. McGregor in Johnson County, Nebraska, December 5, 1960, 1960

Sweetgrass (Savastana odorata (L.) Scribn. [now recognized as Hierochloe odorata (L.) P. Beauv.]) Collected by Frederick Funston on Khantaak Island, Alaska, June 20, 1892, 1892

Andi | Standing Rock Dakota, Heather Ackroyd (born 1959); Dan Harvey (born 1959) — Heather Ackroyd (born 1959); Dan Harvey (born 1959)

Andi | Standing Rock Dakota, 2018

Lottie | Leith Hill No Drill, Heather Ackroyd (born 1959); Dan Harvey (born 1959) — Heather Ackroyd (born 1959); Dan Harvey (born 1959)

Lottie | Leith Hill No Drill, 2018

Image not available — Salomon Savery (1594–1683); François Lefebvre (active 1635–1657)

Livre de fleurs & de feuilles pour servir à l'art d'orfèvre (Book of Flowers and Leaves to Serve the Art of the Goldsmith), 1639

Events

March 27, 2018

Talk

What a Plant Knows

5:30–6:30PM

Spencer Museum of Art, Auditorium, 309

March 28, 2018

Conference

Big Botany: Conversations with the Plant World

10:00AM–5:00PM

Spencer Museum of Art

March 30, 2018

Performance

Goldenberg Duo

12:00–1:00PM

Spencer Museum of Art, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court, 317

April 11, 2018

Talk

PLANT-CAPITAL: Objectification and Agency in a Consumerist World

5:30–6:30PM

Spencer Museum of Art, Auditorium, 309

April 13, 2018

Tour

SOC 519 Sociology of Global Food

9:00–10:50AM

Spencer Museum of Art, 315, 316, 317, 408

April 21, 2018

Activity

Gel Printing with Plants

1:00–4:00PM

Spencer Museum of Art, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court, 317

April 21, 2018

Performance

Afternoon on a Hill

4:00–5:00PM

Spencer Museum of Art, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court, 317

April 22, 2018

Talk

Up Close: Big Botany and a Look at Lichen

2:00–4:00PM

Spencer Museum of Art, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court, 317, Spencer Museum of Art, Kemper Family Foundations Balcony, 408, Spencer Museum of Art, H.W. (Bill) and Marynell D. Reece Memorial Plaza

April 29, 2018

Activity

Day of Creativity: People. Plants. Play.

12:00–3:00PM

Spencer Museum of Art

May 2, 2018

Talk

Inside Big Botany

5:30–6:30PM

Spencer Museum of Art, Auditorium, 309

May 3, 2018–May 18, 2026

Talk

Humankind: Solidarity with Non-Humans

10:00–11:00AM

The Commons, Spooner Hall, 1340 Jayhawk Blvd

May 19, 2018

Activity

Nature vs Machine Drawings

1:00–4:00PM

Spencer Museum of Art, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court, 317

May 24, 2018

Talk

Big Botany: Conversations with the Plant World

10:00–11:00AM

Spencer Museum of Art, Sam and Connie Perkins Central Court, 317

May 31, 2018

Screening

Leaning into the Wind: Andy Goldsworthy

6:00–7:30PM

Spencer Museum of Art

June 8, 2018

Talk

Six Degrees of Separation

1:00–2:00PM

Spencer Museum of Art, Jack and Lavon Brosseau Center for Learning, 318

June 14, 2018

Screening

Day of the Triffids

6:00–7:30PM

Spencer Museum of Art, Auditorium, 309

June 28, 2018

Screening

Annihilation

6:00–8:00PM

Spencer Museum of Art, Auditorium, 309

July 15, 2018

Screening

Little Shop of Horrors

2:00–3:30PM

Spencer Museum of Art, Auditorium, 309

Resources

Documents

Object Label

Media Coverage

Media Release

Exhibition images

Works of art

Events

Resources

Documents

Gallery Hours

Stay up to date on our latest events and exhibitions.

Big Botany: Conversations with the Plant World

Exhibition Overview

Exhibition images

Works of art

Events

Resources

Documents

Museum Newsletter

Stay up to date on our latest events and exhibitions.