Monument to a Happy Immigrant

This structure displays three Japanese Knotweed plants. Imported by Victorian horticulturalists as an ornamental species, Japanese Knotweed is now regarded as a troublesome pest because of its rapid invasion and domination of habitats, which results in the exclusion of other plants. Here they are smothering the monument to Fame, which is an original feature of the Tower garden (below)

Looking like a spaceship full of alien invaders, the sculpture is inspired by Japanese references such as the pagoda, and origami. It is designed to clash with the garden in an act of aesthetic aggression as a monument to the ironic success and infamy of Japanese knotweed, not only within Tatton Park but across the world.

images: Site before and after installation