In todays educational institutions, the ironic presence of plastic plants brings into question the authenticity and liveliness that schools often wish to portray. Plants are more than mere decorations; they are essential components of a living campus, contributing to the well-being and productivity of students and staff alike. The benefits are well known: improved air quality, enhanced concentration, a heightened sense of connection to the environment and some of them can of course be considered as a healthy snack. Institutions are increasingly choosing low-maintenance aesthetics in which the vibrancy of living plants is sacrificed for the longevity of artificial greenery. To bridge this gap between the artificial and the authentic, we installed our gardening tools inside the schools cafeteria. Here, students and teachers alike gathered to plant seeds of Radish, Coriander, Mint, and Parsley in various pots. Next they chose a hiding spot for their plant among the plastic foliage. This was not just a practical necessity but a symbolic act, a statement that real greens can and should infiltrate the synthetic, challenging the dominance of plastics in our surroundings. To ensure the survival of these plants, each participant left a trail—a wholesome text or a critical poem—pinpointing the exact location of their hidden plant. In the coming days the participants will take care of their plants, one pot of vibrant greens at a time, and thus slowly transform the campus into truly living, breathing educational spaces.
