Sized-down series of the Herbarium collection is, at its core, a material translation of memory and affection – a
collection of wall lights serving as both a tribute to Polish flora and an expression of love for a mother. It
transcends the boundaries of standard design, becoming a narrative vessel that captures the ephemeral beauty of the
natural world and bathes it in a gentle, illuminating glow. Through this collection, the fleeting moments of
botanical life are caught in time, allowing us to bring a piece of the outdoors into the sanctuary of our daily
lives.
The roots of this endeavor trace back to a deeply personal discovery. The project began with a sudden fascination
for a mother’s herbarium, a well-preserved archive dating back over 40 years. This old book was not just a
collection of dried flora; it was an early record of a passion that eventually led to her career in floristry. It
sparked a realization that such devotion to nature’s intricate forms deserved a continuation. Inviting her to
collaborate stemmed from a heartfelt desire to encode this bond and family history into a permanent, material form.
Thus, an ongoing process of creation and preservation was born. The plants featured in these pieces are regularly
gathered along the meandering banks of the Vistula River. Each foray into the wild is an act of observing the
changing seasons and respecting the environment. Every completed object serves as a meticulous record of time,
capturing a single, specific species and documenting the delicate state of the Vistula’s flora at the precise moment
of its collection.
The Herbarium Mini emerges as a natural continuation of this collection, representing a new chapter in its artistic
evolution. It is a form of further development, a deliberate step taken to explore the versatility of the original
concept while maintaining its philosophical roots. By scaling down the physical presence of the lights, the project
opens itself up to a more intimate dialogue with the viewer, expanding the boundaries of what this family-driven
endeavor can achieve.
The creation of each piece remains deeply rooted in the ritual of foraging. All the botanical specimens that
ultimately land within the Herbarium are gathered personally by Mateusz and his mother, hand-picked with care during
their walks. Once collected, these fragile treasures are preserved in collaboration, using a drying and cataloging
technique they have refined over the recent years. This methodology ensures that the botanical integrity of the
plant is protected, preserving its natural architecture indefinitely.
The introduction of the “mini” size serves a very distinct, poetic purpose: it gives the smaller, often overlooked
plants a chance to truly resonate. By providing a scaled-down exhibition space, the Herbarium Mini becomes a
dedicated stage for the quietest actors of the floral kingdom. This focused exposition invites the observer to step
closer, allowing them to perceive the intricate, microscopic details and delicate vein structures that might
otherwise be lost in a larger format.
Furthermore, an object of a smaller size possesses a much greater flexibility to adapt seamlessly to various
interiors, gently inviting the warmth and peace flowing from nature into any living space. Because each piece is an
entirely unique, one-of-a-kind custom creation, there is an inherent soul within the materials. We deeply hope that
this singularity fosters an enduring bond between the owner and the artwork – a connection that guarantees the
survival and appreciation of the piece for many years to come.
