INVASIVE ALIEN SPECIES
“Lamut recontextualizes the subject matter of invasive foreign plants, known for destroying native ecosystems, as a medium from which to build upon new strange abstract forms.”
Andrej Lamut considers environmental destruction as a catalyst for sustainability by combining paper made from invasive plant species with various analog film techniques, including liquid emulsion, in his series Invasive Alien Species. Lamut recontextualizes the subject matter of invasive foreign plants, known for destroying native ecosystems, as a medium from which to build upon new strange abstract forms. The ensuing works showcase harmful plants like Japanese Knotweed and Canadian Goldenrod, by revealing their true character, reminiscent of otherworldly alien forms. Additionally, in the physical act of removing invasive plants from their destructive environment, Lamut actively supports the rehabilitation of his native environment.
Invasive Alien Species on display at Beyond the Lens, Cankarjev dom, Ljubljana, Slovenia
“The series Invasive Alien Species is the artist’s symbolic and actual attempt to invert the production process in such a way that it does not contribute to the pollution and destruction of ecosystems, but rather offers a solution to the environmental crisis.”
We’ve introduced some foreign species into our local ecosystems on purpose, be it for hunting or fishing, as ornamental plants in gardens or animals in ponds. Unintentionally, like stowaways, they are brought along with other seeds, plants and fruits from other countries, on our clothing, or in the ballast water of ships. Some escape from animal farms, some are set free from aquariums. The problems that invasive alien species pose and the risk of them spreading even further are amplified by fast-growing global industries such as trade, transport, tourism, and global migrations. Due to expected climate changes, this is becoming increasingly concerning. [1]
In his project Invasive Alien Species (2021), photographer Andrej Lamut turns his focus to invasive plant species that infiltrate foreign ecosystems and start displacing indigenous species. Because he started working on the project during the epidemic, when public life grinded to a halt, he directed his gaze towards the immediate surroundings of his home, where he discovered a surprisingly large number of plant invaders. He removed these intruders from their environment, meticulously documented them and visually presented them as true “aliens”.
In abstract and hermetic forms on paper, they assume unusual shapes that seem foreign and unrecognisable, as well as evidently organic. The effect is further intensified by the direct application of emulsion onto paper. The images are captured on paper made from Japanese knotweed, an invasive species – whereby the medium – in addressing the issues of discarded paper and our general disdainful attitude towards plants – complements the content of the work. The series Invasive Alien Species is the artist’s symbolic and actual attempt to invert the production process in such a way that it does not contribute to the pollution and destruction of ecosystems, but rather offers a solution to the environmental crisis.
Hana Čeferin
Invasive Alien Species on display at Drastic measures, Galerija Fotografija, Ljubljana, Slovenia