Carol Bove "Plants & Mammals" at the HSNY

Artnet Magazine review:

BOVACIOUS by Charlie Finch

Carol Bove proves once again that the sexiest part of the body is the mind (especially hers) in her brilliant installation, "Plants & Mammals," on view Apr. 15-Sept. 10, 2009, at the New York Horticultural Society.

The society is an oasis on the 13th floor of a modest building on West 37th Street. It consists of a reading room bathed in morning light and a series of valuable books on plants, which Bove expertly uses as the matrix of her show. Like Borges, Bove is all about knowledge best expressed intuitively. Here she creates a sanctuary out of objects that appear to be found, but are in fact rigorously assembled and arranged.

Bove's altar consists of a piece of driftwood hanging like a rifle from a chain, a delicate netting made of silver, a metal vulvation which pulsates in the imagination like a feminine John Chamberlain and two peacock feathers arranged like a pair of spectacles. She has also produced an accordion book of 20th-century daffodil varieties chronicled by the horticulturist Janine Lariviere, some of whose live plants grace the rear of the show.



Finally, as a way of introducing the animal part of her meditation, Carol has produced a print memorial tribute to Marilyn Monroe, which reads in part, "Marilyn today has passed the dark barrier. . . . Farewell, perfect mammal." Bove's show presents her preoccupations as a throwback to the Byronic conceit that the world is alien from the pathetic fallacy of our romantic perceptions, and she has doubts about the safe harbor of the intellect as well.

What we find and cherish is arbitrary and is also art. She has suspended her doubts long enough to produce this wonderful little show, which you can visit after throwing your body into the new pedestrian spaces millimeters from the trucks and taxis in Times Square, another tendentious installation, but that is a separate story.

"Carol Bove with Janine Lariviere, Plants & Mammals, Apr. 15-Sept. 10, 2009, at the Horticultural Society of New York, 148 West 37th Street, New York, N.Y. 10018.


CHARLIE FINCH is co-author of Most Art Sucks: Five Years of Coagula (Smart Art Press).

Photos by Chris Murtha

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Invasive Plant Species...

What is an invasive species?

An invasive species is a non-native species whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic harm, environmental harm, or harm to human health. The term "invasive"; is used for the most aggressive species. These species grow and reproduce rapidly, causing major disturbance to the areas in which they are present.

These five species are considered invasive in some areas of the country. Please visit www.nps.gov/plants/alien for more information.


Berberis thunbergii, Japanese barberry



Ilex aquifolium, English holly

Ajuga reptans, Bugleweed

Ilex crenata, Japanese holly

Lysimachia nummularia, Creeping jenny

These plants will not be a problem if you maintain them properly. However, always be conscious that their potential for escape is notorious. Invasive plants may disturb some natural habitats, but are the most threatening in ecosystems such as wetlands, sand dunes and fire prone areas like pine barrens where rare native plants are found. If you think the plant you have may be invasive, check your state's invasive list and take the proper steps to ensure that your plant does not become a problem.

'Bonfire' Begonia

Talk about a plant worth having...

Begonia boliviensis 'Bonfire'

The fiery 'Bonfire' is the rare begonia that not only tolerates full sun but thrives in it. This is a mounding begonia that can spread out to be a 20" x 20" plant, with a trailing habit that makes it ideal for hanging basket or urns.

'Bonfire' has small but abundant red-orange, fluted flowers that explode from medium green serrated leaves, edged with red. It is a perennial in zones 9 to 11, but needs to overwinter indoors in colder climates.

As with most begonias, it doesn't tolerate overwatering. Good drainage is essential or roots will rot. It will tolerate shade or partial shade, but will flower most profusely and produce the most vibrant color in full sun.

This plant looks quite provocative with deep burgundies or true purples and with silver plants like lamb's ears or artemisia. 'Bonfire' is the perfect plant to withstand the heat and humidity of the summer garden.