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Flora Peruana

In Flora Peruana, the animals depicted in the illustrations of Johan Jakob von Tschudi’s foundational 19th century work on Peruvian fauna are meticulously cut out, leaving intentional voids that point to their absence. These gaps invite us to consider the impact of European extractive scientific and economic practices, both historically and in the present day. The surrounding flora, intricately detailed, becomes visible in its own right and acts as a reminder of the interconnectedness of species and the ecosystems from which these animals were taken. By foregrounding the flora, the work shifts focus to the natural environment that has often been overlooked in narratives dominated by scientific exploration and economic commodification of nature at the expense of biodiversity. As such Flora Peruana connects the legacy of colonial scientific practices with contemporary reflections on ecological and cultural appropriation.