Crops is an installation composed of silk flags/stripes dyed with natural and artificial dyes that Mendes created over the last years in different countries around the world - from South Korea to Portugal, Belgium, Sweden, Japan, Germany, UK or Taiwan.
Initiated in 2019, in Seoul, Mendes was driven by the observation of nature/public space in the South Korean capital, as well as its food culture and traditions - from kimchi to ceramics, fashion or hair, the act of 'making' is deeply rooted in ritual, namely shamanism.
Crops questions the concept of nature today, as well as the food/products that we take. From drinks to lipstick, fish or toothpaste, most products have synthetic colours (and other additives) added to them. Similarly, nature is not so 'natural' as one might imagine, as it is a construction in itself - most seeds were manipulated in historical terms to fit human taste or needs.
With Crops, the artist fills in the four walls of the gallery with silk flags [hang with fishing hooks], aligned at the waistline of the visitors - so, one looks down at them, as we do with nature. Crops aims to offer the visitors the immersive feeling of being at the field observing nature, but instead of 'natural' crops, the 'artificial' ones stand out.
Ana Mendes, Crops, 2024-ongoing, mixed media (silk, natural dyes, stitching), variable dimensions. Photo - courtesy Ana Mendes
Ana Mendes, Crops, 2024-ongoing, mixed media (silk, natural dyes, stitching), variable dimensions. Photo - courtesy Ana Mendes