Lens
The terrariums I create, collectively named 'My Own World,' each have their own story. Alongside plants, forest stream stones, and pieces of wood, every terrarium contains a small historical note. It’s no secret that in my free time, I go hiking to long-forgotten places. From each hike, I bring home a memento of bygone times encountered along the way, and in the terrariums, it begins a new life, once again taking center stage. In the 'Lens' terrarium, a film projector lens rests in the shade of a fern, which I found during a hike near the former kolkhoz office building in the Valka area.
The 'My Own World' terrariums use indoor plants compliant with EU phytosanitary requirements, complete with plant passports, as well as mosses grown in Latvia’s natural environment, stones retrieved from streams, and wood found in forests. Therefore, in addition to plants, other inhabitants such as tiny insects, snails, algae, and fungi may also thrive in this world. They will all coexist harmoniously and regulate their relationships within their own ecosystem. Before being offered for sale, each terrarium is monitored for at least two months. The terrarium set includes a felt bag crafted by designer Evita Ūdre and a care guide with plant passports.
The terrarium container must remain tightly sealed at all times. The terrarium does not need watering. During daylight hours, condensation on the terrarium’s walls indicates that the plants are thriving. Place the terrarium in a bright spot indoors, no more than two meters from a window. If it’s too dark, the walls won’t show condensation, which could lead to plant decline. The terrarium can be placed directly by a window if it faces north. In the darker months from mid-October to mid-February, it can be exposed to direct sunlight, but from mid-February to mid-October, direct sunlight will overheat the terrarium, potentially causing the plants to perish and leading to excessive molding or rotting of dead plant parts. Terrariums tolerate the heating season well, even when placed on windowsills above radiators. Every six months, the terrarium can be opened, and the interior walls carefully wiped with a napkin, plants trimmed if needed, and any dead plant parts removed. Afterward, the container must be tightly sealed again.
Terrarium 'Lens': Creation date 11/10/2024. Plants: ivy, fern, mosses. Terrarium specifications: height 36 cm, diameter 18 cm, weight 2.4 kg. Closure: cork.