Symbiome

SYMBIOME,collaborative project of four artists (Ana Ivanovska, Filip Velkovski, Zorica Zafirovska and Andriana Andreeva) with the nongovernmental organization “The Green Arch”, social garden “Bostanie”, N. Lisice, Skopje, R.N. Macedonia (2021)

“Symbiome” is a temporary, site-specific installation developed in collaboration with the nongovernmental organization “The Green Arch” and the gardeners of the community garden “Bostanie”. Conceived as a functional structure with an organic, spherical form, the work creates a shared habitat for different living organisms.

Made from natural materials, the sphere hosts mushrooms in its dark interior, while its outer surface is gradually colonized by self-seeding plants and wildflowers. Acting as a connector between underground and above-ground life, the installation embodies processes of growth, coexistence, decay, and transformation. As the plants wither, the structure naturally disintegrates and returns to the soil as compost, fully embracing natural cycles.

The title “Symbiome” is a coined term combining biome—a biological community or habitat—and symbiosis, referring to the mutual interaction of organisms living together.Located at the heart of the garden’s communal gathering space—used for meetings, screenings, and educational activities—Symbiome exists as a living ecosystem and a temporary gesture of collective care.