💐 Floral

As part of the larger Street Semiotics project, Floral critically examines how flowers, typically seen as natural and ephemeral objects, take on new meanings in an urban context. The act of carrying flowers through bustling streets becomes a symbol in itself—of care, memory, celebration, or even mourning—inviting viewers to decode these gestures as part of the visual language of the city.

Flowers symbolize renewal, life, and the cycles of nature. In Greek mythology, Chloris, the goddess of flowers, was pursued by Zephyr, with flowers spilling from her lips as they united. Flowers like violets and cherry blossoms are emblematic of beauty and the fleeting nature of life, as seen in myths of Kore, Narcissus, and Adonis. Despite their fragility, flowers are resilient, growing in harsh environments, and are pollinated by animals and the wind. Their dual nature—fragile yet enduring—mirrors the human condition, where beauty and decay coexist within the urban landscape.

Sensual and symbolic, flowers are used in rituals associated with beauty, purity, and fertility across cultures. Their forms often mirror cosmic harmony, representing the union of opposites and self-realization. Rooted in both the physical and unseen worlds, flowers bridge life and death, symbolizing potential and transformation. In traditions from the rose of Aphrodite and the Virgin Mary to the lotus of Buddhism, flowers represent spiritual growth and enlightenment. This interplay between their physical beauty and their deep symbolic significance adds another layer to Floral's exploration of flowers in city life.

The series also engages with Jungian archetypes, particularly the Lover and the Caregiver, as flowers are often used to express deep emotional states and connections. This interaction prompts viewers to reflect on the role of nature in urban spaces—not merely as decoration but as a vehicle for emotional and symbolic expression.

Through its visual exploration of flowers in the urban environment, Floral contributes to Street Semiotics by demonstrating how simple, everyday objects like flowers are imbued with layers of meaning, shaping our perceptions of public space, identity, and social interaction.