the earth does (not) need us

The Institute of Queer Ecology in dialogue with Joseph Beuys

Wall text and terrarium for The Earth Does (Not) Need Us, photo by Museum Schloss Moyland

Queer Botany was invited by The Institute of Queer Ecology to contribute research and writing for the installation of a living terrarium in The Earth Does Not Need Us: The Institute of Queer Ecology in Dialogue with Joseph Beuys exhibition at the Museum Schloss Moyland in Moyland Castle, Germany. 

From Museum Schloss Moyland:

With this exhibition, Museum Schloss Moyland is taking up what is undoubtedly the most existential debate of our time: in view of the climate crisis, the international network "The Institute of Queer Ecology" (IQECO) has been invited to enter into a dialog with Joseph Beuys' most relevant works on ecology and the environment.

Both Beuys and IQECO regard art as a realm for intellectual exploration, serving as a platform to envision progressive futures and confront the challenges posed by climate change. Beuys, a co-founder of the German "Green Party" in 1979, stood as an advocate for nature and climate protection from its earliest moments. Half a century later, IQECO disrupts established norms with revolutionary and inspiring approaches toward a more equitable and sustainable ecology, based on queer theory.

Detail of terrarium, photo by Museum Schloss Moyland

Below is a sample of the chosen plants for the terrarium and accompanying text.

Lady fern

Family: Athyriaceae

Species: Athyrium filix-femina

Ferns used to be categorised as cryptogams (‘crypto-‘ meaning hidden and ‘-gams’ meaning reproduction) because it is difficult to observe their reproduction through the naked eye. This fern species is called Athyrium filix-femina or lady fern, in binary contrast to the species filix-mas, or male fern. They are two different species but it used to be thought that they were different sexes of the same fern based on the male fern’s more robust appearance and fast growth compared to the smaller, more graceful, lady fern. This illustrates the anthropocentric and heteronormative approach to studying plants that was applied at the time. Ferns do not reproduce through flowers, instead reproduce sexually through tiny spores found on the underside of the fronds, which get carried away by wind, and when they land on moist earth can germinate. 

Moth orchid

Family: Orchidaceae

Genus: Phalaenopsis

Orchids have long been studied for their highly complex sexual reproduction strategies including deception, traps, and biomimicry through morphology and scent. Charles Darwin describes his observations and experiments on orchids in his book The Various Contrivances by which Orchids are Fertilized by Insects. This Phalaenopsis deceives pollinators because it blooms at the same time as other nectar-producing plants but after attracting the insect through colourful blossoms and attaching pollinia (pollen sacks) the Phalaenopsis does not reward it with any nectar. It can take months for fertilisation can take effect because the anthers, which form pollen packets for pollination, develop first but the pistil, which forms tiny seeds, do not develop until much later.

Bog moss

Family: Sphagnaceae

Genus: Sphagnum

Like lichen, the diminutive mosses are often overlooked compared to loftier plants like trees. Although marginalised, mosses such as bog moss (also known as sphagnum moss) have had huge impacts on ecosystems and human society: sphagnum can create unique ecosystems called peat bogs with living moss on top, accumulating layers of dead plant material floating underneath, all while floating on a body of fresh water; peat bogs help against global warming by storing large amounts of carbon; due to its absorptive and antimicrobial properties the plant was historically used to dress wounds; nowadays sphagnum moss is often used as potting material for other plants. Bog moss are sexually diverse, capable of being unisexual (sperm-producing or egg-producing on separate plants), bisexual (sperm-producing and egg-producing organs on the same plant), or asexual (can clone through broken fragments).

The Institute of Queer Ecology Founder: Lee Pivnik

The Institute of Queer Ecology Co-director: Nicolas Baird