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Wet [poikilohydric] (2023), slow-motion video, three-minute loop.
Wet [poikilohydric] is a slow-motion moving image work that observes the sustained, attentive effort to keep a collection of Sphagnum moss saturated and alive. The work focuses on a species central to peat formation – Sphagnum being a keystone organism in the creation and maintenance of peatland ecosystems worldwide.
The title refers to the moss’s poikilohydric nature: its inability to regulate internal water potential independently of its environment. This means that Sphagnum’s hydration level directly mirrors that of the surrounding habitat, making it highly sensitive to changes in moisture availability. This physiological trait is not only central to the plant’s survival but also to its ecological function, as its remarkable capacity for water retention shapes the hydrology of entire peatland landscapes.
Filmed in slow motion, the work renders visible the delicate interplay between water, plant tissue, and human care. Each frame draws attention to subtle movements and shifts in the moss’s texture and colour, revealing both its fragility and its resilience. In lingering on these details, Wet[poikilohydric] invites the viewer to consider the broader environmental conditions required for the species to thrive, and by extension, the health of the ecosystems it supports.
As with other works in the Wet series, the piece reflects on the interconnectedness of artistic practice and ecological awareness, using close observation to open a space for empathy, attention, and reflection on our role in sustaining the living systems around us.