Irini Miga’s Landscape in Motion is a site-responsive artwork intertwining painterly and sculptural elements to create an ever-evolving landscape. Inspired by the graceful motion of a twirling leaf in the air, it is a visual and conceptual homage to the natural harmony and innate beauty of Crete’s endangered flora.
Drawing inspiration from the ‘Red Data Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece’, each of the five panels highlights specific species of flowers and plants endemic to Crete known for their critical conservation status, focusing the viewers’ attention to their delicate beauty and the urgent need for their preservation. From right to left, the first panel showcases Nepeta sphaciotica (Labiatae), found in the White Mountains, flowering in August.
The second panel features Callitriche pulchra (Callitrichaceae), located in the southwestern half of Gavdos Island.
The third panel presents Anthemis glaberrima (Compositae), which grows among calcareous coastal rocks, only on the islets of Imeri and Agria Gramvousa in western Crete.
The fourth panel highlights two species: Bupleurum kakiskalae (Umbelliferae) and Convolvulus argyrothamnos. The first can be found on the White Mountains and the Samaria Gorge, and blooms every twelve years, between July and early September. The second, can be found at the Samaria Gorge and the Gorge of Rokka, and blooms every July and August.
The final panel features the striking, delicate blooms of Dianthus juniperinus kavusicus (Caryophyllaceae), which flowers every June on the limestone cliffs of eastern Crete.
Miga’s practice is characterised by fluidity, and has always resisted strict boundaries, unfolding at the intersection of multiple genres, such as drawing, painting, and sculpture. The curved black metal frames resemble the motion of a twirling leaf in the air, creating spaces for different plant species to inhabit in a constantly shifting landscape.
Dynamic and delicate painterly gestures highlight the inherent movement within the five panels. With traditional materials used in botanical depictions such as watercolors and graphite, but with a twist and fluidity, the precarious existence of these species is emphasized. Meticulously handmade ceramic elements portraying stones, leaves, and small branches, bring these endemic plants to life, reflecting their presence in various areas of the island. This symphony in motion engages viewers in a dialogue with both the painterly and sculptural aspects of the ensemble.
With an urgency to the time and the wider area where the work belongs to, the corridor connects viewers to the natural environment outside, communicating a system of belief that reveres, respects and cares for it. It invites viewers to embrace the urgent need for a collective consciousness, one dedicated to nurturing and safeguarding the delicate balance of our natural heritage. Landscape in Motion stands as a testament to the idea that natural harmony can be restored and maintained through mindful attention and care. By highlighting the fragility and beauty of the island’s flora, Miga reminds us that it is within our power to create a world where even the most delicate ecosystems can thrive.
