With its Parliament of Plants exhibition in 2020–21, Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein spotlighted a set of momentous issues facing current society. Parliament of Plants II continues this discussion.

The exhibition Parliament of Plants II gives a voice to plants. It testifies to a new view of these beings, which are inextricably linked with our own survival. Over the past decades, a paradigm shift has been taking place in the sciences regarding our perception of plants, one that is also reflected in the exhibition's artworks. Following on from Parliament of Plants (2020–21), the show develops a network of cooperations in a range of different disciplines, with guest contributions in the form of 'inserts'.

Parliament of Plants II demonstrates the principle of symbiosis as a societal counter-image to
the parasitic handling of nature. New insights regarding the world of plants feature alongside
the knowledge of Indigenous cultures, questions pertaining to colonial and contemporary history, the handling of resources or our perception of time. The crucial question is: how can we achieve a symbiotic coexistence in which human and non-human beings can learn from each other?

The main themes of two 'raised stands' are Michel Serres' Natural Contract and Lynn Margulis' theory of symbiosis. Co-curated with Hans-Jörg Rheinberger, molecular biologist and historian of science.


Participating artists

Polly Apfelbaum, Ursula Biemann, Anna Hilti, Alevtina Kakhidze, Jochen Lempert, Rivane Neuenschwander & Mariana Lacerda, Uriel Orlow, Silke Schatz, Thomas Struth, Athena Vida, Miki Yui, Zheng Bo.


The exhibition includes two inserts, a project space in the side-light gallery and a wide range of further collaborations and cooperations:

Insert I: Politics of Plants
curated by Linda Schädler, head of ETH's Prints and Drawings Collection, Zurich.
Sourced from the ETH's Prints and Drawings Collection, visitors can discover artistic positions that deal with current topics: borders, the question of the Self and the Other, the dominance of culture or nature, but also economic interests or geopolitical aspects of natural resources, among others.
Participating artists: Mireille Gros, Matthew Day Jackson, Monica Ursina Jäger, Daniela Keiser, Pascal Schwaighofer, Melanie Smith, Sebastian Utzni.


Insert II: Plants_Intelligence. Learning like a Plant
a research project at the Institute Art Gender Nature, Academy of Art and Design FHNW, Basel, with the support of the Swiss National Science Foundation.
The research project on show here, Plants_Intelligence. Learning like a Plant, sets out to widen the debate about plant knowledge and to harness it to social, ecological and ethical behaviour by collaborating closely with representatives from a variety of fields of knowledge.
Research team: Yvonne Volkart (head), Felipe Castelblanco, Julia Mensch, Rasa Smite.
Participating artists: Felipe Castelblanco, Julia Mensch, Rasa Smite, Raitis Smits. 


Project space Parliament of Plants II
curated by Annett Höland, co-curator of the exhibition.
The side-light gallery showcases a range of regional protagonists committed to nature conservation. By examining various examples of different habitats, the aim is to present ways to create a better balance between human beings and nature – and ask if it is possible to accord plants legal rights.

Contributions by
Mario F. Broggi; Gemeinde Vaduz – Projekt "Vadoz summt"; Nicolas Humbert; IG Netzwerk Biodiversität; Liechtensteinische Gesellschaft für Umweltschutz; Liechtenstein-Institut; Liechtenstein School of Architecture – "Pro Bono" students' project with Luis Friedmann, Noah Laternser, Luca Strimmer; Maurice Maggi; Verein Feldfreunde and others.


Pop-up Gardens in Vaduz
School classes in collaboration with the project "Vadoz summt", the museum's art education team, Damiano Curschellas and Piero Good.

Events with
AckerKüche, Cyrus Beck, Manuel Beck, DJ Kejeblos, Michael Donhauser, Peter Goop, Anna Hilti, Luis Hilti, Nicolas Humbert, Wilfried Marxer, Anna Ospelt, Claudia Ospelt-Bosshard, Duscha Padrutt, Hans-Jörg Rheinberger, Linda Schädler, Samira Schädler, Elias Kindle, Yvonne Volkart, Andreas Weber and others.

Additional cooperation partners
domus, Schaan; Haus Gutenberg, Balzers; Küefer-Martis-Huus, Ruggell; Literaturhaus, Schaan; Skino, Schaan and others.


A production of Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein, curated by Christiane Meyer-Stoll.

 

Multiple visits to the exhibition
To allow you to view the extensive exhibition at your own pace, paid admission is valid for 14 days. During this time you can visit the museum free of charge as often as you like. Just keep the receipt from your first visit and show it next time you come.


 

Image: Jochen Lempert, Calla-Leuchten, 2023 (detail)
Courtesy BQ, Berlin, and ProjecteSD, Barcelona © Jochen Lempert / 2023, ProLitteris, Zurich

More pictures to this exhibition

  • Parliament of Plants II
    Exhibition view, photo: Sandra Maier
  • Parliament of Plants II
    Exhibition view, photo: Sandra Maier
  • Parliament of Plants II
    Exhibition view, photo: Sandra Maier
  • Parliament of Plants II
    Exhibition view, Insert «Politics of Plants», photo: Sandra Maier
  • Parliament of Plants II
    Exhibition view, photo: Sandra Maier
  • Parliament of Plants II
    Exhibition view, photo: Sandra Maier
  • Parliament of Plants II
    Exhibition view, photo: Sandra Maier
  • Opening
  • Thu, 4.5.2023
    17.30
  • Guided tours
  • Thu, 11.5.2023
    18.00
  • Thu, 29.6.2023
    18.00
  • Thu, 5.10.2023
    18.00
  • Sun, 8.10.2023
    14.15
  • Sun, 22.10.2023
    14.00
  • Thu 4.5.

    Opening

    Parliament of Plants II
  • Sun 7.5.

    Walk

    Die Geister des Ebenholz
    with Anna Hilti, Luis Hilti and Hans-Jörg Rheinberger
    Starting point: University of Liechtenstein (under the glass construction)
    End (around 3pm): Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein
  • Thu 11.5.

    Guided tour

    Parliament of Plants II
    with Christiane Meyer-Stoll and Linda Schädler
  • Fri 12.5.

    Play

    Eutopia
    Trickster-p, LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Switzerland
    In cooperation with TAK Theater Liechtenstein.
  • Sat 13.5.

    Kunstmuseum Special

    Biodiversity Day
    11am–1pm Unsealing Lab with Duscha Padrutt at Haberfeld, Vaduz
    1.30pm–2pm Short guided tour of the exhibition Parliament of Plants II with Christiane Meyer-Stoll
  • Sat 13.5.

    Play

    Eutopia
    ***FULLY BOOKED***
    Trickster-p, LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Switzerland
    In cooperation with TAK Theater Liechtenstein.
  • Sun 14.5.

    Play

    Eutopia
    Trickster-p, LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Switzerland
    In cooperation with TAK Theater Liechtenstein.
  • Mon 15.5.

    Play

    Eutopia
    Trickster-p, LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Switzerland
    In cooperation with TAK Theater Liechtenstein.
  • Tue 16.5.

    Play

    Eutopia
    Trickster-p, LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Switzerland
    In cooperation with TAK Theater Liechtenstein.
  • Wed 17.5.

    Take Away

    Parliament of Plants II
    Short guided tour during the lunch break
    with Susanne Kudorfer
  • Wed 17.5.

    Play

    Eutopia
    ***CANCELLED***
    Trickster-p, LAC Lugano Arte e Cultura, Switzerland
    In cooperation with TAK Theater Liechtenstein.
  • Wed 24.5.

    Lunch

    Lunch by AckerKüche
    ***FULLY BOOKED***
    Registration required.
  • Wed 24.5.

    Kunstmuseum Special

    Reading with plants
    as part of the «Liechtensteiner Vorlesetag», organised by ASSITEJ Liechtenstein, Liechtensteinische Landesbibliothek and Literaturhaus Liechtenstein
  • Thu 25.5.

    Introduction for Teachers

    Parliament of Plants II
    with Simone Fiorillo, Beate Frommelt and Susanne Kudorfer
  • Wed 31.5.

    Active together

    An afternoon at the Kunstmuseum
    with Beate Frommelt
  • Sat 3.6.

    Workshop

    What does your "Ackerhüsli" look like?
    with Luis Friedemann, Noah Laternser and Luca Strimmer, students at Liechtenstein School of Architecture
  • Sat 3.6.

    Movie

    Wild Plants
    by Nicolas Humbert, CH/DE 2016, 108'
    followed by a talk with Nicolas Humbert and Yvonne Volkart
    Venue: Skino, Schaan
  • Wed 7.6.

    Lunch

    Lunch by Adler Gastronomie
    with the Indonesian group of artists Soboman 219
  • Wed 14.6.

    Lunch

    Lunch table
    ***CANCELLED***
  • Wed 14.6.

    Special Event

    After-work field visit
    Place: Riethof, Gamprin-Bendern
    An event by Feldfreunde, in cooperation with Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein.
  • Thu 15.6.

    Movie

    Histoires de la Plaine
    by Christine Seghezzi, FR/AR 2017, 72'
  • Thu 22.6.

    Lecture and discussion

    Umweltbewegungen in Liechtenstein.
    Schritte in eine umweltverträglichere und nachhaltigere Zukunft
    with Wilfried Marxer, Caroline Hilti and Luis Hilti (IG Netzwerk Biodiversität)
  • Wed 28.6.

    Active together

    An afternoon at the Kunstmuseum
    with Beate Frommelt
  • Thu 29.6.

    Guided tour

    Parliament of Plants II
    with Annett Höland and Christiane Meyer-Stoll
  • Sun 2.7.

    Travelling to the Museum

    Destination Museum
    A discovery journey for the whole family!
  • Wed 5.7.

    Lunch

    Lunch
    with "Ackerhüsli" and Spanish cuisine
  • Wed 5.7.

    Wednesday XL

    Plant Encounters
    In cooperation with Kunstschule Liechtenstein, Liechtenstein School of Architecture and Liechtenstein Office of Culture (Amt für Kultur)
  • Thu 6.7.

    Movie

    Dusk Chorus
    by Alessandro D’Emilia and Nika Šaravanja, IT 2017, 62‘
  • Sun 16.7.

    Workshop

    Hop-on Hop-off Workshop for Children
    with Simone Fiorillo and Beate Frommelt
    at poolbar Festival, Feldkirch
  • Sun 6.8.

    Travelling to the Museum

    Destination Museum
    A discovery journey for the whole family!
  • Wed 9.8.

    Holiday Workshop

    Plant concert
    for children aged 7 to 12
    with Manuel Beck and Simone Fiorillo
  • Thu 10.8.

    Holiday Workshop

    Plant concert
    for children aged 7 to 12
    with Manuel Beck and Simone Fiorillo
  • Wed 23.8.

    Take Away

    Parliament of Plants II
    Short guided tour during the lunch break
    with Susanne Kudorfer
  • Thu 24.8.

    Lecture and Workshop

    Nature as a subject of law?
    with Cyrus Beck, Elias Kindle and Samira Schädler,
    video statement by Peter Goop
  • Wed 30.8.

    Active together

    An afternoon at the Kunstmuseum
    with Beate Frommelt
  • Wed 30.8.

    Introduction for Teachers

    Parliament of Plants II
    with Susanne Kudorfer, Beate Frommelt, Simone Fiorillo
  • Sat 2.9.

    Workshop for adults

    "Durch die Blume"
    Writing workshop with Anna Ospelt
  • Sun 3.9.

    Travelling to the Museum

    Destination Museum
    A discovery journey for the whole family!
  • Wed 6.9.

    Lunch

    Lunch with Verein Feldfreunde
    Registration required.
  • Wed 6.9.

    Wednesday XL

    Plantasia
    In cooperation with Literaturhaus Liechtenstein.
  • Thu 14.9.

    Movie

    Wildes Denken
    by Rüdiger Sünner, DE 2020, 108‘
  • Thu 21.9.

    Symposium

    Agency of Plants
    within the exhibition Parliament of Plants II
    Registration required.
  • Wed 27.9.

    Active together

    An afternoon at the Kunstmuseum
    with Beate Frommelt
  • Thu 28.9.

    Discussion

    Monument for a vanished plant.
    Who or what is given a place in the writing of history?
    with Anna Hilti, artist, Claudia Heeb-Fleck, historian, Luis Hilti, architect, and Guido Meier, President of the Liechtenstein Institute
  • Wed 4.10.

    Lunch

    Lunch
    ***FULLY BOOKED***
    with Ayami Awazuhara
    In cooperation with domus, Schaan.
  • Thu 5.10.

    Guided tour

    Parliament of Plants II
    with Christiane Meyer-Stoll and Linda Schädler
  • Sun 8.10.

    Guided tour

    Short guided tour of Parliament of Plants II
    and introduction to the performance by Ari Benjamin Meyers
    with Letizia Ragaglia
  • Wed 11.10.

    Holiday Workshop

    Holiday studio
    for children aged 7 to 12
    with Olivia Büchel and Simone Fiorillo
  • Thu 12.10.

    Holiday Workshop

    Holiday studio
    ***CANCELLED***
    for children aged 7 to 12
    with Olivia Büchel and Simone Fiorillo
  • Sat 14.10.

    Workshop for adults

    Discovering the exhibition with pen and paper
    Writing workshop with Anna Ospelt
  • Thu 19.10.

    Movie

    Symbiotic Earth
    by John Feldman, USA 2017, 147’
  • Sat 21.10.

    Workshop

    Wild Thinking - Wild Feeling
    Experience workshop in the context of the exhibition Parliament of Plants II
    with Andreas Weber
    at Haus Gutenberg, Balzers
  • Sun 22.10.

    Lecture and discussion

    Is the psyche a plant?
    The plant world as the key to reality
    with Bruno Fluder, Christiane Meyer-Stoll and Andreas Weber
  • Sun 22.10.

    Guided tour

    Parliament of Plants II
    with Christiane Meyer-Stoll
  • Sun 22.10.

    Reading

    Botanical Victims
    A play by Alevtina Kakhidze
    in English