W1 Curates x The Chelsea Flower Show
Inspired by Nature & Light
Los Angeles based artist Maggie West celebrates nature’s chromatic range through blending each specimen she shoots with her signature colored lighting. Through her lens, she creates images that capture the natural features of plants while bathing them in a surreal light; thereby blurring the line between documentation and fantasy.
Her natural sense of curiosity extends beyond the natural world, and is mirrored in her interest in new artistic mediums. She has done a wide variety of large projects, including installations for Google, Netflix and Universal. Recently, West created one of the world’s largest color photography installations for Coachella.
During the pandemic, West began to experiment with time lapse photography and seek out innovative techniques.
In order to impart her signature colored lighting onto this new medium, West had to create custom setups in her studio that included both studio strobes and grow lights. Though time lapse photography is a well established medium, West’s work brought new life to time lapse photography by utilizing strobe lighting and RAW images, allowing her to create high resolution sequences with vivid coloration.
The result is footage that transports the viewer into a surreal, dreamlike landscape, while simultaneously providing a closer look at the natural details and growth cycles of each plant.
Plants from contrasting seasons and climates coexist within the realm of these surreal compositions. West’s juxtaposition of varying plant life further pushes her work away from reality, and into the artist’s own fantasy vision of the world. While the plants in the work are real, the final piece is a creation entirely her own.
Innovations in Time Lapse
While time lapse traditionally focuses on displaying nature in its truest form, West turns this process on its head by infusing her signature colored lighting into the footage, transforming what would otherwise be pure documentation into an exercise in imagination. The result is footage that transports the viewer into a surreal, dreamlike landscape, while simultaneously providing a closer look at the natural details and growth cycles of each plant.
West’s time lapse work honors some conventions of the practice while pushing some of its boundaries. The use of strobes and colored gels in time lapse photography is something that is rarely seen, and provides a fresh, unique take to this established medium.
Surreal Digital Landscapes
As West explored her passion for her time lapse photography, the artist became intrigued by the possibilities of combining her individual sequences into more complex landscapes. By masking out each video sequence, West could layer the time lapse footage on top of one another to create garden scenes.
Plants from contrasting seasons and climates coexist within the realm of these surreal compositions. West’s contradictions further push her work away from reality, and into the artist’s own fantasy vision of the world. While the plants in the work are real, the final piece is a creation entirely her own.
W1 Curates x Royal Horticultural Society
West's innovative approach to time lapse photography has captivated audiences worldwide. In an exciting new collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), West will bring her mesmerizing creations to life in a custom animated show at W1 Curates. The exterior of the venue will be transformed into a stunning canvas featuring large, surreal floral compositions. This all new digital showcase will push the boundaries of traditional floral work, and create an immersive experience that blurs the line between reality and fantasy.
Immersive Experience
Inside W1, West's immersive digital landscapes will unfold on high-resolution screens and be reflected in mirrored columns, creating a sensory journey that transcends traditional floral exhibitions. W1’s high resolution screens will serve as canvases for West's time lapse sequences, displaying them in unprecedented detail. The mirrored columns strategically placed throughout the space will enhance the immersive experience, reflecting and multiplying the vibrant colors and fantastical compositions, enveloping visitors in a mesmerizing, kaleidoscopic environment.
New Audiences
This innovative approach to floral installations, seamlessly blending digital artistry with natural elements, has the potential to draw a diverse audience. Beyond horticulture enthusiasts, the integration of contemporary art and digital media could attract individuals fascinated by cutting-edge artistic expressions. By embracing this form of artistic presentation, the Chelsea Flower Show at W1 positions itself as an innovative event and appeals to a broad spectrum of visitors. West's transformative work bridges the gap between traditional gardening and modern artistic innovation, ensuring the Chelsea Flower Show remains a dynamic and inclusive celebration of creativity and nature.
