Mehdi-Georges Lahlou French/ Moroccan, 1983
Mehdi-Georges Lahlou transforms the seed into an arrow. Planted directly into the wall, these bronze and brass rods, extended by the female seeds of the Japanese Cycas, captivate with their restrained tension and striking simplicity. The gesture, both precise and deliberate, feels almost ritualistic, evoking fragility and strength in equal measure.
The Japanese Cycas, toxic and dangerous to animals, is often introduced without consideration for biodiversity or ecosystem balance. With Strobilus, Mehdi-Georges Lahlou exposes the paradox of a plant cultivated for its ornamental beauty yet harmful in the environments where it is displaced.
These arrows, simultaneously sculptural objects and critical gestures, highlight the consequences of our aesthetic choices on living ecosystems. By embedding these seeds directly into the wall, Mehdi-Georges Lahlou challenges us to reflect on our relationship with nature and how we reshape it, often at the expense of ecological harmony.