The plants grow until the final week of the show, and are then burned roots, soil planter and all. The plant will have a hyperconcentrated period of growth throughout the course of the exhibition timed for the start of spring with continuous access to light, natural through the windows and artificial from the lights. The wooden planters are encased in plexiglass cubes to prevent spore dispersion into the local ecosystem and positioned under grow lights, most commonly associated with the growth of marijuana. The only way to kill it for good is to burn it.įor the installation in ‘Studio Parasite,’ one of artist’s many works centering the vine, Dean designed two seedbeds, into which Kudzu sproutlings were recently transplanted, grown from seeds leading up to the exhibition’s opening. The plant is also stress-tolerant and survives adverse climates with very low nitrogen levels. It can grow at about 30 centimeters per day in direct sunlight. Kudzu essentially smothers all other plant life and rather than supporting itself, grows on top of other objects - plants, infrastructure, powerlines, building etc. Now it forms a quintessential part of the landscape and the folklore of the ‘American South’.
Since its original introduction into the region Kudzu has proliferated exponentially, creeping well beyond its intended purposes. In the south eastern United States, the plant grew exceptionally well, due to the parallels in humidity and heat levels to its native climate. The leafy green vine blooms with sweet smelling purple flowers and was originally marketed as an ornamental way to shade porches and later was used industrially, as a cover plant preventing soil erosion, and as high-protein cattle fodder. The plant was brought intentionally to North America in the late 1800s for its aesthetic qualities and agricultural dexterity. Kudzu is a parasitic plant species, native to Asia but invasive to North America and Europe.
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