Running from Jan to March 2021, Zheng Bo’s exhibition entitled Life is hard. Why do we make it so easy? will be held at Kardooie Farm and Botantic Garden. The work is inspired by the thought-provoking TED talk, “Life is easy. Why do we make it so hard?” by Jon Jandai, a farmer from north-eastern Thailand and an activist for sustainable living. The artist creates his project by reflecting upon the ecological paradox: life on earth is supposed to be both easy and hard. However, as human beings, we often make our lives easy at the expense of other organisms in nature.
Zheng’s work was previously presented at Thailand Biennale Krabi in 2018. Upon learning that the local Orchid Grower Community Enterprise has been cultivating orchids and putting them back into nature to replace those stolen ones, Zheng was inspired to create botanical slogans by growing native orchid species of Thailand.
Participants will learn about the installation works of Zheng Bo’s Life is hard. Why do we make it so easy? Exhibition, take a look at the artist’s botanical sketch collection and the various local species at the Orchid Green House, as well as experience repotting an orchid. The skills of repotting, placing organic orchid fertilizer and daily care will be demonstrated and practiced. Through a relaxing 1.5-hour journey, participants can know more about creative concepts behind the artworks, characteristics of different species and understand the importance of ecological balance.
