“All art is but imitation of nature.” -Lucius Annaeus Seneca

In the case of Jeff Schmuki art is nature. Schmuki creates living art through horticultural installations. The global climate change has created a renewed focus on sustainability and environmentally responsible practices. This focus is apparent in Schmuki’s art work.

Schmuki’s exhibit “Agritecture” is currently featured in the Biggin Gallery at Auburn University. The exhibit is presented by Auburn University’s College of Liberal Arts and Department of Art in collaboration with the College of Agriculture.

The exhibit is also part of the “Art in Agriculture” series. Art in Agriculture is an annual series through which artists and scientists examine topics related to agriculture, food, environment or natural resources.

Schmuki’s exhibit focuses on all four of these topics.

The exhibit fills the entire space at the Biggin Gallery. It consists of semi-translucent sheets with soil-less growing systems. The plants growing in the exhibit include chia (Salvia hispanica L), red winter wheat, broccoli, flax and radish. Recordings from short wave radios are played while the exhibit is open.

“Shortwave was only my way of getting messages out that folks needed help after Katrina,” said Schmuki, whose Gulfport, Miss., studio was destroyed during the hurricane. “The sounds create an event in contrast to the slow steady growth of the plants. This creates a multi-leveled experience for the gallery participant.”

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Schmuki used to work in ceramics, but after being displaced because of Hurricane Katrina, he now uses plants as sculptural materials.

“I choose plants as a sculpture material since it represents my lost Mississippi garden,” said Schmuki. “Gardens mean home to me.”

Schmuki hopes to promote ecological awareness through his art. He uses his artwork specifically to demonstrate the benefits of hydroponics.

“I encourage my audience to consider art-making a collaborative research laboratory, empowering the community,” said Schmuki.

Schmuki is working on a permanent installation piece at the Federal Courthouse in Jackson, Miss. He is building a ceramic wall mural.

“I prefer impermanent installations as they are like us - fragile and impermanent ... my work is more about experience than lasting ownership,” said Schmuki.

Schmuki holds a masters degree in fine art from Alfred University in Alfred, N.Y. He is currently a visiting artist at the American Academy in Rome, Italy.

All of the art exhibits in Biggin gallery are open to the public. Past artists include Jack Beal, Roger Brown, Dan Cameron, Frank Stella, Donald Kuspit, Dr. Elizabeth Braun and Phillip Pearlstein.

The Biggin Gallery is located at Biggin Hall on the campus of Auburn University. Biggin Hall sits behind Toomer’s Oak in downtown Auburn.