Botanic Garden Visitors Delight in Dornith Doherty's Two New Exhibitions Bridging Nature and Human Connection

Studio Art Professor Dornith Doherty's two exhibitions unfold this fall and promise to captivate art lovers, photographers and environmentalists alike. Each offers a unique convergence of artistic exploration, botanical wonders, and environmental advocacy. Doherty's exhibits are at the Botanical Garden of Medellín, Colombia, with a solo exhibition at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia, California.

Exhibition South America

“Iluminaciones: Miradas a los Helechos en Colombia” ["Illuminations: Looks at the Ferns of Colombia"]
August–October 2024
Botanical Garden of Medellín, Colombia

At the heart of Medellín’s lush Joaquin Antonio Uribe Botanical Garden, Doherty, in collaboration with renowned research botanist Alejandra Vasco, exhibits "Iluminaciones: Miradas a los Helechos en Colombia." This thought-provoking exhibition delves into the vibrant world of ferns — plants that do not have flowers and propagate by spores rather than seeds. Against the backdrop of a 34-acre sanctuary teeming with biodiversity, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on Colombia’s native ferns. The exhibit highlights their resilience and fragility in a world undergoing environmental and societal change. In the garden, viewers wander through the verdant pathways of the public park that boasts 4,500 plant species and 139 recorded bird species.

The Doherty-Vasco collaboration enhances the exhibition's artistic narrative, creating an immersive experience where art and science entwine. This exhibition celebrates Colombia’s botanical treasures and serves as a reminder of the importance of conservation amid an era of rapid ecological upheaval.

Exhibition North America

“Archiving Eden: Exchange”
Sept. 8–Nov. 17, 2024
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, Arcadia, California

Across the globe in California, a similarly evocative journey awaits at the Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden, where Doherty presents "Archiving Eden: Exchange." A visually stunning, interactive installation, Doherty’s project explores the vital role of collaboration in environmental preservation. The exhibition features a transparent structure adorned with 5,000 colorful X-rays of native California seeds, each serving as a testament to the beauty and complexity of plant life.

In a dynamic twist, these vibrant X-ray tiles are gradually replaced by envelopes containing seeds, transforming the structure into a living, evolving seed bank. This exchange becomes a powerful metaphor for protecting and nurturing biodiversity. Curated by Shirley Watts, the project was brought to life through collaborations with the Theodore Payne Foundation for Wild Flowers and Native Plants, the Missouri Botanical Garden, KUBTEC imaging systems, the Natural Discourse Organization, and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center. For more information, visit Doherty's website at DornithDoherty.com.

Doherty, a photographer, artist, and UNT Distinguished Research Professor, as well as a recipient of Guggenheim and Fulbright fellowships, captivates audiences by exploring the complex relationships between humans and the environment through various media, including photography, video, and animation. Her acclaimed work skillfully merges scientific and artistic perspectives, reflecting humanity's connection to nature and offering a powerful commentary on conservation in the Anthropocene. Known for capturing the fragile beauty of the natural world, Doherty's exhibitions continue her exploration of the intersection between technology and ecology, emphasizing the urgent need for environmental stewardship.

For art and photography aficionados and environmental enthusiasts, these exhibitions offer a feast for the senses and a chance to engage with pressing issues of our time.

Images: 1) Aerial view of the Botanical Garden of Medellín; photo of Dornith Doherty; 2) outdoor art installation of a transparent structure with 5,000 vibrant X-rays of seeds; 3) colorful X-ray tiles.