Growing from Justin Amrhein’s Mechanical Botanical series, Dystopian Garden is a collection of work that utilises the natural and architectural ambience of the atrium exhibition space. This detailed and comprehensive project embraces the elevated glass ceiling, the enveloping spiral staircase, the commanding elevator shaft, and the living palm tree, all of which have a distinct presence within the atrium. Collectively, these elements evoke an opulent greenhouse or botanical garden, which serves as the conceptual inspiration for the exhibition.

The expanding series of Mechanical Orchid schematic drawings and the Functional Display video piece that accompanies them share the circular atrium with an additional grouping of works on paper depicting endangered mechanical “replacement” flowers from around the globe. In the centre of the space, the living palm tree is transformed into a site-specific sculpture, accompanied by a schematic drawing illustrating its slow-growth functionality.

Additional events:

Art Workshop

Date and time: May 28th 2025 at 10.30am

Join us for a hands-on art workshop! Residents from retirement communities throughout Malta are invited to participate in this unique opportunity following a private tour of the exhibition “Dystopian Garden”. Collaborate directly with the artist Justin Amrhein and take home your own original artwork!

All materials and tools are provided.

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Art Talk

Date and time: June 19 2025 at 7pm

Artist Justin Amrhein and Curator Melaine Erixon invite you for an exciting discussion about “Dystopian Garden”, a thought-provoking exhibition exploring the intersection of botany and technology. Botanists and environmental scientists will be joining the conversation, offering their unique perspectives. Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with art and science in a stimulating environment!

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Creative team:

Artist: Justin Amrhein

Curator: Melanie Erixon