Between Magnolias: A First Prize Win at Festival Flora 2024, Córdoba, Spain

We are overjoyed to be awarded the first prize at the prestigious FLORA International Flower Festival 2024 on 18th October, held in Córdoba, Spain. Our installation, titled “Between Magnolias,” was recognised for its profound interpretation of the festival’s Multispecies theme, which explores the intricate relationships between species within a shared environment. 

The title Between Magnolias stems from the installation’s placement between the centuries-old magnolia trees in the Patio del Reloj of the Palacio de la Merced. This poetic reference highlights the invisible world of multispecies interactions—those subtle connections between flora, fauna, and other beings that we seldom notice in everyday life. The installation invites viewers to contemplate these hidden layers of coexistence and reflect on the interdependencies that shape our shared environments.

The installation springs forth from the fountain, representing the giver of water, while the sundial—the keeper of time—stands watch, together evoking the cycles of life and death. The installation presents a speculative ecosystem, referencing diverse habitats, from date palm piles that shelter beetles (ancient pollinators of magnolias) to nest-like structures inspired by the homes of Andalusian white storks. Other elements evoke nature’s communal creations, such as beehives and the biomorphic shapes of anthills, while bird feeders made from loofahs, date palm seeds, and sunflower seeds offer sustenance to the native birds of Andalusia.

The multispecies dialogue was further enriched through the inclusion of a soundscape titled Luminous II, created by Singapore-based artist Zai Tang. The soundscape merges field recordings of nature from Singapore with recitations of Andalusian poetry, connecting the natural world with human history.

We are so proud to be the first ever artist invited from Singapore, and the only representative from Asia to participate in FLORA, the world’s foremost event for contemporary floral art.

Thank you so much to the jury at Festival Flora for recognising our work, and to everyone who has supported us on this journey! This award is a testament to the power of creativity, sustainability, and storytelling, and we look forward to using our platform to continue creating positive impact and reach new heights in the world of botanical design.