From a branch I had climbed

One spring day, an unusual cloud of bright yellow dust escaped from a pine branch I had climbed. Every year, for a short period, these trees cover their surroundings with a fine layer of pollen. When it rains, the pollen concentrates in certain areas, drawing intriguing meanders. Observing this phenomenon gave rise to the idea of collecting the pollen and starting a project around this natural treasure. The study of pollen (palynology) reveals fascinating physical, formal, and semantic properties: they are made of the most resilient material in the organic world and can endure for millions of years. Their complex, refined shapes allow them to drift over hundreds of kilometers and to latch onto pollinators. They are renowned for their benefits and are part of the traditional pharmacopoeia of many cultures. Pollen, especially that from pines, is the starting point of a large project called "The Eclosion of Time," which took shape during an artist residency in Beijing in spring 2024. Minimalist paintings exploring pollen as a pigment under the action of water are followed by ovoid sculptures inspired by the structure of pollen grains, containing raw pollen collected from nature. An olfactory work created with a perfumer focuses on pine resin, and bud teas complete the project, offering a multi-sensory experience.