In an open field in Saitama, Japan, popular Japanese artist Azuma Makoto has set about making his mark on the natural landscape. ‘Back to the Earth’ continues the creative’s ongoing research and experimentation in the ephemerality of botanical life. Previously, Makoto represented the stages of decomposition by creating a ‘box’ of flowers and leaves.

The vegetation gradually morphed from a lush and vibrant shape filled with small red roses and pastel purple florets to a flattened, dull object that broke down and decomposed back into the ground surrounding the flowers. 

Over the 2-month project, the process of decay was recorded to highlight the gradual changes over the course of time. Makoto began by carefully assembling 10,000 flowers into a circular formation atop a lushly overgrown landscape of grass.

What started as a vibrant spiral of varied colorful blooms — including sunflowers, roses, and violets — eventually became a decayed stretch of stems, before finally merging into the grassy earth beneath it.

Makoto’s ongoing interest in ‘making flowers and plants more alive’, as well as the theme of ephemerality is ever-present in ‘Back to the Earth’. Growth and decay become a beautiful union, and the cycles of life form a meditative moment for viewers to experience and enjoy.