In his artistic work, Patrick Will explores the value of plants. As many plants considered ’non-herbs‘, the stinging nettle (Urtica) has been part of European culture and a companion to humans for centuries. Its fibers were used to make fabric and dye, and the lye extracted from it helps to regenerate the soil. Will tells the story of the scope of action from the perspective of this plant actor: nettles were part of human life, whether in the peasant vegetable garden or in the shade of the dungheap. Despite their dreaded stinging hairs, they constantly offered their cooperation to humans, as food or material for textile production. Nettle soup is part of the childhood memories of older generations. But the adult plants now are frustrated and need to take action: Herbicides and regular weeding by human farmers limit their habitat on the desolate pile, which is growing ever larger and depriving them of precious light.

In his botanical docu-fiction, Patrick Will shows, among other things, the plant’s last options for action. Although they represent a group of extraordinarily resilient plants, some of their fellow species have already been pushed back to such an extent that they are rarely found. During the three-month exhibition, living representatives will be on site at the allotment garden association and will be happy to enter into new collaborations there too.