Phyllotaxis

About this artwork.

In 1994 the CBK Groningen organised the exhibition “De Bron” (The Source). A number of artists were invited to submit an outline sketch for a piece of art at a location in the city of Groningen. As few restrictions were imposed as possible: the choice of location was free and no limits were placed on the form or type of artwork to be submitted.
 
 Sjoerd Buisman created Phyllotaxis for this project. Nature, and in particular the laws of growth processes, are a source of inspiration for Buisman. In the seventies, he started introducing living plants in his artworks. For example, he hung plants upside down, making use of the fact that everything grows towards the light, independent of gravity. The fascination for phyllotaxis arose from his interest in growth processes: such as leaf spirals in plants and trees. The shape of the spiral is based on a strict principle, which indicates a direction from which it is impossible to deviate.

Phyllotaxis in the Stadspark – one of a series of phyllotaxis sculptures made by Buisman – also complies with a natural law. The difference in lengths of the parts and the rotations relative to each other have been calculated according to a certain principle, with the main point being that natural equilibrium must be expressed. The parts are always rotated 120 degrees with respect to each other, such that the upper (first part) corresponds to the fourth part, the second part to the fifth part, etc. The parts are vertically increasing in length and decreasing in size.

Facts & Figures.

• Design
  Sjoerd Buisman

• District
  Stadspark

• Year of creation
  1996

• Art type
  Freestanding sculpture

• Material
  Bronze

• Dimensions
  h 7,00; doorsnede 1,30 m