Inspired by the cascading form of the Monkey Tail Cactus, this soft sculptural installation reinterprets a desert plant known for its paradoxical nature visually tender yet inherently defensive. Native to the high rocky cliffs of Bolivia, the cactus survives extreme conditions, its long hair-like spines shielding the fragile body beneath.
In this work, the plant’s form is translated into suspended stuffed structures filled with dried lavender and soap, infused with lavender essential oil. The sculpture releases a subtle scent, transforming an emblem of arid resilience into a domestic, aromatic presence. What is typically sharp becomes tactile; what grows in harsh terrain becomes intimate and nurturing.
The installation explores the tension between protection and vulnerability, wildness and care, strength and softness. It invites viewers to move around and beneath its cascading forms, experiencing how resilience can be gentle, and how defense can carry the scent of comfort.
Unique piece,
Designed and handmade by Creative Space Beirut student Iftikhar Kanawati
Inspired by the cascading form of the Monkey Tail Cactus, this soft sculptural installation reinterprets a desert plant known for its paradoxical nature visually tender yet inherently defensive. Native to the high rocky cliffs of Bolivia, the cactus survives extreme conditions, its long hair-like spines shielding the fragile body beneath.
In this work, the plant’s form is translated into suspended stuffed structures filled with dried lavender and soap, infused with lavender essential oil. The sculpture releases a subtle scent, transforming an emblem of arid resilience into a domestic, aromatic presence. What is typically sharp becomes tactile; what grows in harsh terrain becomes intimate and nurturing.
The installation explores the tension between protection and vulnerability, wildness and care, strength and softness. It invites viewers to move around and beneath its cascading forms, experiencing how resilience can be gentle, and how defense can carry the scent of comfort.
Unique piece,
Designed and handmade by Creative Space Beirut student Iftikhar Kanawati
