“When I think about my first impressions of Korea, I see before all else overpopulated, hectic, noisy cities, modest, traditional architecture side by side with the ubiquitous functional yet disconsolate prefabricated housing blocks; I see Buddhist pagodas hemmed in by 8 lane traffic arteries…” writes Florian Bong-Kil Grosse about his new book of photography, Hanguk. This thoughtful, plant-appreciating Berlin artist shared some photos on this blog last year, and now we’d like to share his new publication and other recent work.
“I observe all of this,” he continues, “and at the same time long involuntarily for moments that might grant a little calm. Whilst I feel out my surroundings with the camera, my gaze is caught by a bush in the shape of a seated figure, a sofa at the side of the road that seems oddly to have been shrunken, or a dusty car covered in print marks from hands, feet and tennis balls. Everyday scenes in an alien world that I have spontaneously connected something with.”
The artist has gathered these images, his first impressions of Korea, into a limited edition book, available at art bookstores around Germany and via mail order. It looks beautiful, and the plants of Korea intriguing.
Now back in Berlin, Florian has been taking some fantastic photos of minimalist trees. They remind me of some of our very earliest urban plant research subjects.
I love the melancholy pastel colors.
You can check out more photos of Berlin trees, and other projects in progress on his tumblr.
Thank you, Florian, for sharing your photos with us and congratulations on the book!
urban plant research 
These are beautiful.
Thanks, Matt! I agree.