Kokedama Forest by Nomad Studio | Nomad Studio

Kokedama Forest is a 1,000 SQF miniature sculptural forest consisting of more than 1,200 forestry seedling kokedamas nested within an inverted dome carved out from a fragile and intricate metal network. Acting as a green amphitheater, the visitor is both a spectator and a protagonist which is simultaneously embraced by its peaceful parlance and invited to actively question her/his role at the center of that symbolic arena. 

Guests are welcomed to enter the micro-woodland and be surrounded by the levitating kokedamas: hundreds of seedlings proudly displaying their intimate relationship with soil supported by a 7.5 feet high three-dimensional metal structure. This assemblage is woven with steel inviting the contradictory blend of strength and delicacy that is implicit in all living networks. 

With Kokedama Forest, William E. Roberts and Laura Santín, founding partners of Nomad Studio, present a visual reflection upon the hidden importance of soil dwellers and how their indissoluble partnership with plants creates a suitable habitat for all of us. Soil is one of the key habitats of the planet which too often is undervalued despite being indispensable.

Kokedamas as a symbol of the relationship between plants and soil

Kokedamas(*) are a poetic materialization of the intimate relationship between soil and plants, an inspiring blend of nature and art. 

Nomad has found in Kazumi Garden, a family business that is at the forefront of the art of kokedamas in the United States, the perfect ally to hand craft the 1,200 kokedamas that are part of the ephemeral installation. "Kazumi’s respect and craftsmanship, as well as their commitment with beauty demonstrated both in their daily work and with the installation, make Kazumi’s family an indispensable part of Kokedama Forest without which it would not be possible", in the words of Nomad.

Similarly, Nomad counts on Timber Forge Woodworks, the custom design and craft fabrication workshop responsible for the assembly of the metal structure, and Pinelands Nursery, specialist in native plants for reforestation, that have supplied the autochthonous forestry seedlings.

(*) Kokedama. Kokedamas have their origins in Japan. In the Japanese language, kokedama translates to moss-ball, koke- meaning "moss" and dama- meaning "ball". 

Philadelphia Flower Show 2021: “Habitat, Nature’s Masterpiece”

Kokedama Forest will be on show between June 5 and 13 at the Philadelphia Flower Show, organized by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society.

The 2021 edition represents a historical moment for the flower show. After 193 years, the Flower Show is being held for the first time in an exterior location, the Philadelphia FDR Park, and it is emphasizing Design, Landscape Architecture and Art within the Design District. In addition to Nomad Studio, the Design District will host a diversity of design proposals from awarded national and international designers and artists related with landscape design, floral design and art.

Kokedama Forest. Data sheet
Location: Philadelphia Flower Show, FDR Park

Landscape Architects: Nomad Studio.

About Nomad Studio

Nomad Studio, founded in 2009 by William E. Roberts and Laura Santín, is an internationally awarded creative workshop devoted to innovative site-specific projects. It's work explores the interaction between art and landscape and its influence on society and environment.

More than just a name, Nomad is a philosophy of itinerant life and work through which they have taken on relevant projects worldwide for more than a decade. In recent years they have carried out several ephemeral installations such as Green Varnish and Green Air at the Contemporary Art Museum of Saint Louis, MO and Tree of Knowledge at Villa Erba on the shores of Lake Como in Italy.

www.thenomadstudio.net  | Instagram  | Twitter

Press Contact:

Isabel Martin

[email protected]

Partners and collaborators:

Kazumi Garden. US Kokedama Masters. 

The story of Kazumi Garden began when Mercedes Manosalva discovered the art of Kokedama while visiting her family in Japan. What started as a hobby transformed into a way of life thanks to the impulse of her son Edgardo, who quickly saw the potential of kokedamas as an art form. Thanks to kokedamas, Kazumi Garden has developed as a family business based on the well-being of its members and the mission of offering beauty to the world through the artisanal creation of its kokedamas.  

www.kazumigarden.com

Timber Forge Woodworks. Craft Fabrication.

Custom design and craft fabrication firm based outside Philadelphia.

www.timber-forge.com

Pinelands Nursery. Native plant experts since 1984.

With over 20 years of practical, on the ground experience, Pinelands Nursery & Supply is recognized as a leader in the field of environmental restoration.

www.pinelandsnursery.com