Photographs and documentation of residency project

The Textile Art Biennale BIEN organized an artistic residency named BIEN LIFE 2024 between two biennial editions. Five international artists engaged with the local story of renovation and revitalization of the botanical garden by the Horticultural Society Kranj and cultural and arts residency center Layer House. The project focused on the artistic process, recognizing the impact of art on individuals, communities, and the environment, as well as questioning the concept of sustainability.

The artists incorporated numerous textile installations and artistic objects into the space, engaging in dialogue with each other, intertwining thematically, materially, and colorfully to create a sensory experience. Despite irregular maintenance, a stroll through the botanical garden is inherently a sensory experience, so the interaction of the artists within the space was executed subtly and with a high level of understanding for the natural world.

Processes of exploration, research, and later experimentation became key during the weeks-long residency, where the group acquainted themselves, learned from each other, and recognized elements of natural and cultural heritage of Slovenia, the city of Kranj, and especially the space where the botanical garden grew seven decades ago. The results of the artistic residency are not only installations in the garden, extensive documentation, and visual diaries.

As the garden changes every season, even every month, the installations will come to life anew, with new shades of nature, intertwined with tendrils, roots, and vegetation, new perspectives opening and closing. The garden will become a space of slow art observation. An important outcome of the project is also the increased interest in the garden and its maintenance. The newly opened doors enabled the local community to connect and begin to imagine its vision anew.

Artists in dialog with the nature:

Through their gentle murmuring, the plants invited me to slow down, observe, and appreciate the beauty and wonder that surrounds us, serving as both teachers and companions on the journey of exploration and discovery. Lovro Ivančić

In an urban context, it's difficult to realize that you are just an element of nature and everything is ruled by ecological connections. I have found plants so beautiful, clever, precious and relaxing. You feel part of something incredible and great. Giulia Berra

Nature seemed to say "take your time, rest". Time spent in the garden space or hiking in the canyon brought many surprises and moments of amazement. It allowed me to observe the passage of time and its impact on the surrounding. Julia Piekarska

While walking through the Kokra River canyon, searching for interesting and unusual branches or contemplating what kind of artistic installation to place in the garden, nature reminded me to be patient and observant. Dominika Gacka

I cut the dead leaves of the palm and cut back the long grasses, to ensure new leaves would grow. I saw a correlation between the regrowth of the plants and the garden's regeneration and reopening. Elizabeth Karina Balado