Moss wall (1994)

Olafur Eliasson Moss wall. 1994 wood, moss, wire dimensions variable Courtesy the artist, Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York and neugerriemschneider, Berlin

Meet Eliasson’s ‘Moss wall’ (1994) — a living, breathing, colour-changing and occasionally stinking patch of arctic Reindeer Moss. Representative of Eliasson’s curious relationship with the natural world and his vision as an architect, the piece rises vertically up the gallery wall on a concealed frame of wood and wire. Upon this scaffold, the moss is carefully handled and placed where it proceeds to undergo continual metamorphosis. It’s alive, therefore the texture, colour and scent are never stagnant.

Olafur Eliasson ‘Moss wall’ 1994. wood, moss, wire dimensions variable Courtesy the artist, Tanya Bonakdar Gallery, New York and neugerriemschneider, Berlin

As an exhibited work, ‘Moss wall’ is something of a conundrum. While denaturalised within its orientation and environment, ‘Moss wall’ continues to grow as if it were in the Arctic. It is both protected and controlled, yet unruly, liberated, and like no other landscape to grace the MCA walls thus far.

‘Moss wall’ (1994) will be installed as part for Take Your Time: Olafur Eliasson