Ethnobotany of Artistic Plant Uses.

Crop Art in Baix Llobregat (Catalonia, NE Iberian Peninsula)

  • Jon Marín Laboratori de Botànica – Unitat associada al CSIC, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Avinguda Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
  • Teresa Garnatje Institut Botànic de Barcelona (IBB), CSIC-CMCNB, Passeig del Migdia s/n, 08038 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6295-6217
  • Joan Vallès Laboratori de Botànica – Unitat associada al CSIC, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Avinguda Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Secció de Ciències Biològiques, Institut d’Estudis Catalans, Carrer del Carme 47, 08001 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1309-3942
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14237/ebl.15.1.2024.1868
Keywords: Agricultural fairs, Crop art, Spain

Abstract

Artistic uses of plants are rarely explored in ethnobotanical studies. However, in Baix Llobregat (Catalonia, NE Iberian Peninsula), seeds and other plant parts are utilized to create art expressions associated with agricultural fairs and promotion of local vegetal goods. The objective of this study is to catalog the plants used and evaluate the current vitality and importance of this cultural and social activity. The methodology employed involved semi-structured interviews and observation. We have identified two distinct types of artistic creations. A total of 65 taxa have been identified, primarily comprising locally cultivated species. The results of this research emphasize the enduring presence of ethnobotanical knowledge related to cultural uses and underscore the importance of its preservation.

Author Biographies

Jon Marín, Laboratori de Botànica – Unitat associada al CSIC, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Avinguda Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

J. Marin is a botanist interested in the valorization of local ecological knowledge through Art and Design practices.

Teresa Garnatje, Institut Botànic de Barcelona (IBB), CSIC-CMCNB, Passeig del Migdia s/n, 08038 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

T. Garnatje is an ethnobotanist passionate about exploring indigenous plant knowledge, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable practices.

Joan Vallès, Laboratori de Botànica – Unitat associada al CSIC, Facultat de Farmàcia i Ciències de l’Alimentació, Universitat de Barcelona, Avinguda Joan XXIII 27-31, 08028 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain; Secció de Ciències Biològiques, Institut d’Estudis Catalans, Carrer del Carme 47, 08001 Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.

Joan Vallès explores the intersection of ethnobotany, traditional knowledge, and sustainable resource management.

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The image features three sculptures of penguins made from eggplant, leek, carrot, asparagus, olive, red pepper, and pumpkin parts, displayed in a garden setting. One sculpture stands upright on a pedestal, another is behind, and the third is smaller, likely representing a juvenile, positioned at the front of the line. The penguins are black and white with touches of orange around the beak and feet. They are set against a backdrop of lush green plants and flowers, suggesting an outdoor exhibition or garden show.
Published
2024-09-16
How to Cite
Marín, J., Garnatje, T., & Vallès, J. (2024). Ethnobotany of Artistic Plant Uses . Ethnobiology Letters, 15(1), 41–52. https://doi.org/10.14237/ebl.15.1.2024.1868
Issue
Vol 15 No 1 (2024)
Section
Research Communications

Copyright (c) 2024 Jon Marín, Teresa Garnatje, Joan Vallès

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