In this video performance, I explored the juxtaposition between the artificial and the natural by disassembling a LEGO cactus and integrating its pieces with the fading petals of a wilting orchid. This act served as a powerful narrative tool that blurred the lines between reality and fabrication, reflecting the complex relationship we have with our environment. This thematic exploration is inspired by Nikolaus Gansterer’s work, which delves into intersections of drawing, thinking, and action as forms of translation and transformation.

I chose LEGO—a symbol of construction and creativity—as it contrasts starkly with the natural, delicate, and ephemeral orchid. This visual contrast not only heightens the sensory experience but also deepens the viewer’s engagement with themes of impermanence and artificiality. Placing dismantled LEGO pieces alongside orchid petals on the same plane further emphasized the conflation of the real with the artificial.

The physical process of disassembling the LEGO cactus was performed methodically, mirroring the slow fading of the orchid. Each gesture in the dismantling and rearrangement of parts was deliberate, aiming to echo the careful actions often depicted in Gansterer’s work, where the process is as significant as the outcome. This approach highlighted the transformation and deconstruction—a key element in understanding both the tangible and abstract aspects of any creation.

The tactile engagement with both the LEGO and the orchid petals was vital. This interaction was not merely about disassembly but about the thoughtful examination of how different textures respond to manipulation. This physicality brings immediacy and intimacy to the performance, making the abstract themes more accessible and relatable. It underlines tangible concepts like decay, construction, and transformation, bridging a gap between the viewer and the viewed. The camera was positioned to closely capture the details of both the LEGO and the orchid, emphasizing the tactile quality of the materials.

Drawing from Gansterer’s interest in the processes underlying artistic creation, this performance sought to make visible the usually invisible acts of thinking and transforming. By using a hands-on approach to blend the definitions of what is natural and what is manufactured, the performance echoed Gansterer’s exploration of drawing as a tool for thinking and knowing, extending it into the three-dimensional space of the video. This performance and reflection offered a meditation on the constructs of our understanding and challenged viewers to reconsider the boundaries between the real and the artificial.