Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

22nd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Artistic
The Secret Life Of Plants

This project opens a window into a realm that quietly hums beneath our awareness. What happens if we stop seeing plants as mere decor and start recognizing them as beings with their own presence, living alongside us? Who else shares our spaces, and how do they experience the world? ​ As we rush through our routines, we often overlook the vibrant beings surrounding us. Each image in this project hints at a reality that slips from view when we assume we're at the center of everything. The creatures around us thrive in their own rhythm—gathering sunlight and stretching toward growth. There’s a sense of absurdity in imagining a plant hosting a dinner party or going on a date. Yet this playful (and willingly bizarre) exercise reveals a deeper truth: life persists in overlooked places, prompting us to reflect on coexistence and empathy. What if the realm is filled with entities we’ve simply stopped valuing? ​ Plants, in their quiet resilience, offer a whimsical contrast to our human realm, thriving in cycles connected to rhythms far older than our own. THE SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS embraces a surreal perspective, inviting us to explore the narratives that surround us and recognize the layers of life interwoven with our own. By tuning into the lives of these plants, we may discover new ways to engage with our surroundings, encouraging a sense of awareness that can reach beyond the green.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 11.2024
Date Uploaded: 12.2024
Photo Location: New York City, None, United States of America
Copyright: © Tabea Mathern