An international artistic project, by Jean-Simon Trottier (Canada) and Montserrat Duran Muntadas (Spain), SEMINA PERCURRENTA / FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER consists of installations inspired by plants that transgress boundaries, where the seed becomes a symbol of freedom.
Considering that Immigration is something that preoccupies millions of people worldwide, this project opens the debate: Are borders, dividing people's lives, really necessary?
Notorious dividers such as the Berlin and Mexican-USA walls, as well as the unattainable natural boundaries such as oceans or deserts have been easily surmounted by seeds that have been swept by the wind, floated on waves, attached themselves to animal fur, all without having to fill out a border crossing form.
It is the seeds of plants like the Proboscidea Louisianica, indigenous to both the Mexican and USA deserts, that inspire the forms of the sculptures. The sculptures are made by using the hot sculpted and blown glass techniques and other materials have to be carefully chosen to match the original border setting of the seed's environment.
Trottier and Muntadas use glass as the main material because it is the best to create complex and diverse forms. This fragile material can express the vulnerability of each individual trying to cross a border. Its limpidity symbolizes the weightlessness of a seed ready to take flight, the transparency of a journey without obstacles or without disruption.
Complementary materials (cement, barb wire, steel, rocks, etc.) are added. This gives a touch of realism to the form and add symbolism to the glass sculpture, thus cause emotions and reactions.
More info: www.trottiermuntadas.com
Arctium lappa. SEMINA PERCURRENTA
Materials: Glass and silver.
Piece: Approx. 15 cm each.
Year of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Piece: Approx. 15 cm each.
Year of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Bixa orellana. SEMINA PERCURRENTA
Materials: glass and steel.
Pieces: Total of 5 pieces of similar sizes, each measuring 44 x 22 x 10 cm.
Years of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Pieces: Total of 5 pieces of similar sizes, each measuring 44 x 22 x 10 cm.
Years of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Bixa orellana. SEMINA PERCURRENTA
Materials: glass and steel.
Pieces: Total of 5 pieces of similar sizes, each measuring 44 x 22 x 10 cm.
Years of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Pieces: Total of 5 pieces of similar sizes, each measuring 44 x 22 x 10 cm.
Years of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Scabiosa stellata. SEMINA PERCURRENTA
Materials: Glass, rubber and wire.
Pieces: between 20 x 25 x 25 cm and 28 x 30 x 30 cm.
Year of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Pieces: between 20 x 25 x 25 cm and 28 x 30 x 30 cm.
Year of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Scabiosa stellata. SEMINA PERCURRENTA
Materials: Glass, rubber and wire.
Pieces: between 20 x 25 x 25 cm and 28 x 30 x 30 cm.
Year of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Pieces: between 20 x 25 x 25 cm and 28 x 30 x 30 cm.
Year of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Asclepias syriaca. SEMINA PERCURRENTA
Materials: Glass and tree trunks.
Piece:75 x 75 x 75 cm approximately.
Year of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Piece:75 x 75 x 75 cm approximately.
Year of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Asclepias syriaca. SEMINA PERCURRENTA
Illustration: Jean-Simon Trottier
Averrhoa carambola. SEMINA PERCURRENTA
Materials: glass, iron and barbed wire.
Pieces: sizes vary between 6 x 6 x 20 cm and 20 x 20 x 65 cm.
Year of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Pieces: sizes vary between 6 x 6 x 20 cm and 20 x 20 x 65 cm.
Year of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Averrhoa carambola. SEMINA PERCURRENTA
Materials: glass, iron and barbed wire.
Pieces: sizes vary between 6 x 6 x 20 cm and 20 x 20 x 65 cm.
Year of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Pieces: sizes vary between 6 x 6 x 20 cm and 20 x 20 x 65 cm.
Year of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Proboscidea louisianica. SEMINA PERCURRENTA
Materials: Glass and concrete.
Pieces: Approx. 43 x 50 x 40 cm each.
Year of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Pieces: Approx. 43 x 50 x 40 cm each.
Year of production: 2015.
Photographer: René Rioux
Jean-Simon & Montserrat in the hot shop
Jean-Simon Trottier & Montserrat Duran Muntadas
SEMINA PERCURRENTA / FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER.
SEMINA PERCURRENTA / FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER.