Through the Shadowed Meadow: A Deeper Look at Posidonia Oceanica

"In the 1980s, as international tourism grew, it promoted the image of pristine, white sandy Polynesian beaches. Reacting to this, cities in southern France unsustainably beautified their beaches to copy the adverts, ignoring the Mediterranean's natural appearance and delicate ecosystems. The uniquely local plant Posidonia Oceanica has suffered as a result. Its dark appearance underwater and unappealing “banquettes” on land lead municipalities like Cannes’ to remove it, disrupting its cycle and crucial role in the local ecosystems.

Inspired by Eva Filipczak’s experience as a diver, an interactive installation invites shifting perspectives on Posidonia Oceanica. By reappropriating the diorama, the piece speculates on a future where the plant exists only through archives. Underwater photography taken by the designer and archival clips of the plant's destruction, viewable through the sculptures, offer nuanced observation when discussing and framing environmental issues. "