Flower installation at the Museum of Natural History in Vienna by Andreas Bamesberger



Impressive flower installation as entrance decoration – by Andreas Bamesberger for the opening nigh of exhibition “How Everything Began. Of Galaxies, Quarks and Collisions“


Andreas Bamesberger has spent over 10 years expanding the concept of design with regard to blossoms and other parts of plants. A fantastic decadence of pure functional architecture is created, one that far exceeds the observer‘s expectations.

In this installation, his largest yet with almost 5000 blossoms and an equal number of ornamental apples, Andreas Bamesberger has produced a symbiosis of the architecture of Viennese Historicism and his temporary installation.

The stronger floral lines made of chrysanthemums are based on the graphics from the invitation to the exhibit opening and represent a metaphor for planetary orbits; they are also reminiscent of the „collision pattern“ of protons in the CERN. 
The dahlia blossoms are laid out in a way that reflects the ornamental ceiling painting in the arcades around the main staircase.
The ornamental apples represent DNA strands and provide a direct reference to the Natural History Museum and life itself. Here the apple does not act as a Christian symbol for temptation, but rather for the concept of passing away and emerging anew.

The nearly incredible symmetry evident in the lines of flowers is the logical consequence of the architecture‘s guidelines: not only because of the symmetry of the Natural History Museum, which is ascribed to Viennese Historicism, but also in reference to the never realised epochal building project that was to run from the Hofburg to the two museums of Natural History and Art History in mirror form. However, the two museums are the only building complexes that offer a reminder of this plan, for the Hofburg, as is well known, was never finished in that way and what stands today is only „half“ of the Hofburg.

Ultimately this installation made use of 2000 chrysanthemums, 2500 dahlias and over 5000 ornamental apples. Eight people spent six hours laying out the flowers and apples. No templates were used and when one side was completed, the contours were measured and then laid on the other side accordingly. 

The subsequent arrangement took place based purposely on feeling, in order to produce an imprecise symmetry that on one hand demonstrated the handicraft aspect and on the other  reflected the fact that nothing in nature is 100% symmetrical.

In planning this project, sustainability was an important criterion in addition to artistic design. All plant components were harvested in the area around Vienna. Transport routes were kept as short as possible and the value added took place 100% within the region. 

At the end of the exhibit opening the approximately 800 visitors were encouraged to take the flowers as a souvenir of that day, so they could enjoy them another few days. The destruction of the work of art was part of the programme.

The use of photos for editorial purposes is free of charge - with the name of photographer (Lukas Lorenz).