The Japanese knotweed does not have a good name. Worldwide, the plant is associated with problems because it grows through concrete and asphalt and thus affects foundations and sewers. Many studies have been devoted to combating it – often in vain. Lucie Havel, on the other hand, wondered whether she could use this plant as a visual material, for tissues or paper, because from this specific example she would like to address a more important issue that formed the main question of the research: how can I as a human being adapt anthropocene to my environment? “Through my art practice, I wish to propose an alternative to our exploitative attitude towards our environment. I also want to use this research to find a new relationship between my thinking process and the resulting visual work.”
In her large spatial installations and video works, the Franco-Dutch artist gives a ritual status to everyday and common materials – such as waste and weeds, and thus also the Japanese knotweed. The fact that this plant is seen as invasive is characteristic of a disturbed relationship with nature. With this R&D research she wanted to soften the Western division between nature and culture, supported by the ideas of anthropologist Descola. The R&D committee found the relationship between artistry and climate issues interesting and was curious about the visual translation.
The R&D commitment paved the way for extensive materials research for Havel. She wanted to use the growth stages of the plant for a year, starting in April 2019. She started it with knowledge gathering, at a paper factory, a basket weaving course in France, a phyto-chemist for developing vegetable dyes, and created a network. Gaining knowledge and skills was the main goal, but she also processed a visual report into a catalog How I fell in love with the enemy, filled with process information and photos. This is both an archive and a presentation tool for next steps.