
The Subversive Gardener looks at the Guerrilla Gardening
subculture. Members of this group secretly meet at night to elicit plant
flowers, shrubs and vegetables in neglected urban spaces. Although their
actions seem harmless, they are still viewed by the authorities as illegal
and prosecutable.
This project explores the existing instruments involved in this practice.
How can they be modified, camouflaged or completely redesigned? From
digging to planting, this idea approaches design in a modular fashion.
These new objects function as components that combine to facilitate the
individual processes in gardening. The pieces also take inspiration from
nature by featuring mechanisms that reference existing natural occurrences
such as seed dispersal. In addition to bio-mimicry, this idea looks at
various methods of disguising gardening paraphernalia in everyday attire
and accessories, drawing on influences from militaria and spy
gadgetry.
By exploring the duality of male and female apparel, familiar everyday
objects and garments can also function as guerrilla gardening tools,
interfacing modern technology with organic products. Secretly dropping seed
bombs on their way to work or planting flowers on their way home, these
designs allow the guerrilla gardener to integrate their assaults into their
everyday routine.