japanese botanic sculptor azuma makoto has created a new floral installation for SFER IK, the interdisciplinary arts center located in the jungle outside of tulum, mexico, next to the famed azulik hotel (see designboom’s previous coverage here and here). titled ‘mexx’, the site-specific project coincides with the institution’s reopening under the leadership of its new director marcello dantas on march 18, 2022. azuma’s largest work to date, ‘mexx’ was conceptualized in response to SFER IK’s unique biophilic design and the surrounding wilderness.
it is made from locally-sourced materials similar to those involved in the museum’s construction – vines, concrete, and fiberglass – and incorporates an enormous array of live indigenous flowers. over the course of the exhibition, which will run until september 7, 2022, the installation will bloom into the museum space, blurring the line between man-made and natural. after dismantling the installation, SFER IK and the artist will donate all living flowers to the local community.