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23-31 October 2027

Plush Garden

apartment horticulture

Hosted by Alexandre Delasalle

This project is now archived and was part of DDW23

Event type

Exhibition

Berries and Flowers Table (Dining Room series)
Berries and Flowers Table (Dining Room series)
Picture by Augustin Puzio (2023).
Alexandre Delasalle's collection of wooden furniture shapes a curious living room on a faux grass floor - an installation gathering a selection of pieces from the Plush Garden Dining Room Series to create a botanical haven.

the imagery of plants and cuteness

The Plush Garden series explores the connection between images of nature and depictions of cuteness, as they are known to cause similar hormonal responses by viewers. Each piece examines the potential of the non-threatening, cartoonish representations of nature commonly found in popular visual culture to serve as a virtual source of comfort in our contemporary surroundings.

new hormonal instruments

Images of nature, such as printed pictures, sculptures, and ornaments, are ubiquitous in the human environment, triggering strong, positive hormonal reactions. According to Hiroshi Nittono and Namiha Ihara in their study "Psychophysiological Responses to Kawaii Pictures with or without Baby Schema," similar principles apply to people exposed to cute or "kawaii" images. There is a growing trend in popular culture of comforting depictions of harmless ecosystems, and this formal vocabulary may be a new instrument for well-being in domestic spaces.

an elementary yet plural visual vocabulary

Alexandre Delasalle associates playful patterns with furniture of exaggerated, cartoon-like forms - blending visual elements inspired by children's dollhouses, biophilic design, 17th-century home decor, video games, and public kindergartens to create a twisted botanical haven.
Flowers Chair (Dining Room series)
Flowers Chair (Dining Room series)
Picture by Augustin Puzio (2023).

About Alexandre Delasalle

Drawing inspiration from diverse sources within popular culture, Alexandre Delasalle has developed a visually compelling design approach. He specializes in blending, mimicking, and repurposing references to investigate and debate current aesthetic standards. His practice explores themes such as the representations of nature and cuteness, the appropriation of mainstream icons by amateur communities, and the narratives that target younger generations through mass media.

Colofon

Designer Alexandre Delasalle