The art of decay
Created by eminent Japanese flower artist Azuma Makoto, this living (and dying) artwork represents the nine stages of decomposition. As the flowers slowly wilt and die over time, the spectacular cube gradually flattens, the flowers drain of colour and their delicate sculptural forms wither. Eventually, a murky brown liquid begins to seep out, leaving bloodlike streaks along the white floor.
This might all sound like a florist’s worst nightmare but as a piece of art it has a captivating beauty that is strangely compelling.
The 9 stages of decomposition
- Stage 1: The lush vegetation fills bursts with life.
- Stage 2: The cube begins to flatten as the flowers wilt.
- Stage 3: The flowers sink further as they continue to wither.
- Stage 4: The vivid colours begin to turn the sculpture brown.
- Stage 5: A brown liquid seeps out from underneath the flowers.
- Stage 6: Most of the flowers have died and more liquid runs out.
- Stage 7: Only a few patches of colour are left as decomposition sets in.
- Stage 8: The base flowers begin to rot and the brown liquid streams out.
- Stage 9: The increasingly sticky brown liquid creates a beautiful pattern.
Homage to flowers
‘Humans live with flowers on their birthday, for the marriage or anniversary, as a greeting, and of course their funeral,’ Makoto says of the work. ‘Here, the viewer can see the transformation as the flowers go through their life, instead.’
To discover more of Azuma Makoto's work, head to his website which is full of his unsual, botanical installations.
