Collapsible Leaves: Azuma Makoto Fills Japanese Department Store With Lush Living Plant Sculptures!

<a href="http://inhabitat.com/makoto-azuma-suspends-bonsai-trees-then-returns-them-to-the-earth-unharmed/" target="_blank">Botanical artist</a> <a href="http://azumamakoto.com/?p=3597" target="_blank">Azuma Makoto</a> recently unveiled a gorgeous series of lush, leafy plant sculptures at the grand opening of the <a href="http://www.isetan.co.jp/icm2/jsp/store/shinjuku/info/iclub/index.jsp" target="_blank">Isetan Shinjuku</a> department store in Japan. Dubbed "Collapsible Leaves", Makoto's <a href="http://inhabitat.com/azuma-makotos-pixelated-bonsai-is-made-from-legos/" target="_blank">living collages</a> permeate the retail experience, appearing throughout each department in place of ads.

<a href="http://azumamakoto.com/?p=3597" target="_blank">Azuma Makoto</a>'s “The Art of Plants" exhibit consists of sprawling leafy installations that grow throughout the department store’s columns, clothing displays and walls.

Drawing a connection between the art of clothing and the art of nature, Makoto’s installations create an interplay between fashion design and the beauty of botany.

It's a fitting partnership to honor the opening of a new branch of Japan’s oldest department store.

Labeled “Welcome to the Fashion Museum,” the glass displays couple mannequins with swirls of layered leaves, carefully controlled ivy, and three-dimensional sculptural plants in varying artistic shapes and colors.

Makoto also created mandalas of different shades of green and hung them from the mirrored ceilings of each department to mimic chandeliers.

Once again, Makoto has shown that living plant art can add both style and life to any interior.