Abandonment produces and reproduces itself. For over two years, our visual documentation has captured moments of change in the flora of MUDDA. We have witnessed trees die, burn, and smolder into embers.
In this scenario, nature has retaliated. It has invaded every building, advanced through the walls, crept across the lawn, and seeped into the corners. It continues to exert its influence, both hegemonic and meticulous.
The jatobá tree fell, upright until 2023. It survived the paving of Anhanguera, watched the building rise, but will not witness its fall.
Jatobazeiro (Jatobá Tree)
"The jatobazeiro is a tree that does not rot easily when it dies due to its antifungal nature" - [from: Soka Amazon Institute].
Listed for preservation in a document¹ produced by Seplan (Planning Secretariat of the City Hall), it was part of the natural collection of Lago das Rosas, a remnant of the original forest of the Capim-Puba stream.
Handsaw, fallen!
Here in the cerrado, fire is both precious and dangerous. In dry vegetation, a lightning strike hits the ground, creating a flame that spreads with the wind. It cracks seed shells, incinerates grass, and hardens tree bark. With the next rain, this combination of heat and water gives rise to a new cerrado.
It was no different at MUDDA. The anthropic fire twisted trunks, painted rooms, and forged debris from itself.
Still Life
MUDDA's antinatural collection includes fallen trees, poisoned trees, dry grass, dry fungi, and ashes.
Nature Advances
Fungi, mosses, ferns, shrubs, and young trees.
The Landscape and Time
It is quite possible that the glimpses seen today will not be the same the day after tomorrow. There is no intention to preserve, as there is nothing to be done. MUDDA is what time makes of it.
To make way for nature as a non-anthropic artist, we have spread labels indicating how elements of vegetation participate as part of the temporary collection. Plants that emerge in corners, edges, and skirting boards.
Gardens of Chance
The spark of rebirth seems to stem from the need to survive. Just like the temporary inhabitants, the Garden of Chance forms from the propagation of nature itself—temporary, transient, and seasonal. What takes root are the young trees, a new form of the new riparian forest of what was once the Botafogo stream area.
These photos document the change in the landscape over a personal follow-up of two years.
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