Phytophilia – an exhibition with Danish Designer Sara Martinsen.
The exhibition presented sculptural objects by Sara Martinsen alongside her Material Encyclopaedia dedicated to plant fibres. Martinsen investigates the aesthetic and functional potential of plant fibres, which hold particular relevance for product and textile design, applied arts, and architecture—especially in the context of transformative change. She has compiled her extensive knowledge on possible applications and the ecological background of these renewable and fully biodegradable raw materials in a digital encyclopaedia, making it accessible to a wide audience.
The exhibition was initiated, organized, and curated by Ingrid Ruegemer as part of her activities at the former non-profit organization Symbio(s)cene. It was on display from 20 January to 31 March 2023 at Culturesphere Gallery, Munich.
Sara Martinsen next to her digital encyclopedia “Phytophilia”. By cataloguing fibres with meticulous care, the project exposes the politics and poetics of material choice. Martinsen reframes plant fibres from raw matter into a site of cultural and ecological sensibility — a reminder that every material decision is already a decision about the future.
Portrait by Kristian Holm.
In addition to a selection of sculptural works, the exhibition presents part of the extensive material collection from the “Phytophilia” encyclopaedia, including several well-known fibres such as bamboo and sisal, as well as lesser-known ones such as kapok and kenaf. The fibres are displayed in various states: natural and unprocessed, debarked, prepared for further processing, and as finished fabric samples or building materials.
The motivation behind this long-term project arose from Martinsen’s desire to gather comprehensive information on sustainable materials and manufacturing processes for her own furniture designs. “It was very difficult to gain a complete overview of cultivation, extraction, transport, and production processes,” she explains. “So I decided to start from scratch and collect all the facts and material examples I could find myself.”
Beyond the transmission of knowledge, Martinsen is particularly interested in heightening sensory awareness. Visitors are therefore invited to engage with the exhibits through touch, fostering a deeper understanding of the properties of plant fibres and stimulating new ideas for their future applications.
The Exhibition Phytophilia invited visitors visitors to touch, feel, and engage with the fibres, transforming passive observation into a sensorial encounter where the material’s texture tells a story of nature, craft, and possibility.
Exhibition curation and photography by Ingrid Ruegemer.
In addition to a selection of sculptural works, the exhibition presents part of the extensive material collection from the “Phytophilia” encyclopaedia, including several well-known fibres such as bamboo and sisal, as well as lesser-known ones such as kapok and kenaf. The fibres are displayed in various states: natural and unprocessed, debarked, prepared for further processing, and as finished fabric samples or building materials.
The motivation behind this long-term project arose from Martinsen’s desire to gather comprehensive information on sustainable materials and manufacturing processes for her own furniture designs. “It was very difficult to gain a complete overview of cultivation, extraction, transport, and production processes,” she explains. “So I decided to start from scratch and collect all the facts and material examples I could find myself.”
Beyond the transmission of knowledge, Martinsen is particularly interested in heightening sensory awareness. Visitors are therefore invited to engage with the exhibits through touch, fostering a deeper understanding of the properties of plant fibres and stimulating new ideas for their future applications.
The exhibition was accompanied by an online design conversation with speakers from the fields of design, science and business. More information on the event here.
Supporters and Sponsors:
The exhibition was supported by Culturesphere Gallery and sponsored by Selbach Umwelt Stiftung. The accompanied talk event was sponsored by Bayern Design and Bayerisches Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft, Landesentwicklung und Energie.
A special thank you also to Statens Kunstfonds Denmark and to Boligfonden Kubens who support Sara Martinsen’s work and kindly sponsered her visit to Munich.
