Adam Kvaček´s "Paradox of Isoëtes" at Dutch Design Week

The Paradox of Isoëtes explores the human-nature relationship using the endangered plant Isoëtes as an example. This graduation project is based on the idea that the easiest way to save an endangered species is to make it useful to humans, for example, as consumer goods.

The focus is on the process of commodification - creating a commodity from a given species and turning it into a consumer product.

Adam Kvaček's project is illustrated by the projection of a video essay in which the story of the Isoëtes species is depicted, accompanied by artefacts in glass boxes as disposable cutlery made of Isoëtes plant, material samples or drawings of the greenhouse where this plant is supposed to be grown, materialising a paradoxical speculation.

The project aims to explore the alienation of humankind from nature through interactions with the environment we live in. The speculation offers a scenario of the near future in the context of the current alarming decline of natural species due to human behaviour.

The project shows the interaction of humans with plants as other-then-human beings in three thematic levels. The protection of endangered plant species through the establishment of protected areas, including fencing and the conservation of pristine nature within controlled borders, serving as evidence of so-called natural environments. The commodification of plant species for human purposes through forest monocultures, as large-scale growing of plant species in controlled areas for our needs. And the creation of artificial environments through greenhouse complexes where human created a whole microcosmos where they can control all the life needs of plants out of natural factors in matter of light, humidity, or temperature.

 Through these examples, the project shows what the next step in human interference in natural processes could look like if intensive reshaping of nature continues.

The Paradox of Isoëtes project was created in collaboration with botanists and environmentalists from the Czech National Museum. It was shortlisted in the Graduating Projects Diploma selection award and was part of the Alterace conference on positive change for other-then-human beings in cohabiting with humans.

Adam Kvaček is an object maker, spatial designer and researcher. His focus is on design-research that  emphasises attention to context. He explores and communicates environmental, social and geo-political aspects of design through his work on installations, workshops, or objects in combination with other media.