Inspired by the design and intent of Islamic gardens, Flourish is a 2D, rotoscope animation created to explore human interaction, connection, and dependency to the flora within such gardens. The projection starts with an empty, monochrome area that becomes overtaken by the growth of vivid, colourful plants morphing and mimicking the movements and physical properties of humans as to imply their effect on one another. The focus shifts from grass to shrubs to flowers: lilies, hyacinths, violets, to cypress trees and the sun as the camera cranes from a close-up top view to a horizon extreme wide shot. All in all, this work centers on sensation and the codependent relationship between people and plants.

This work was commissioned and programmed to be shown in the Light Up the Dark projection on the exterior of the Aga Khan Museum, Toronto, Canada alongside Shezad Dawood’s Night in the Garden of Love 2023-2024 exhibition.

Music: “Perception” by Yusef Lateef from the album Fantasia for Flute

Projection presentation as captured by the Aga Khan Museum.