How do artists use rattan to explore time-based decay in installations?

Artists often employ rattan, a natural and pliable material, to create installations that visually and conceptually explore time-based decay. Rattan’s organic properties allow it to transform over time, responding to environmental factors like humidity, light, and temperature. This gradual degradation becomes a metaphor for impermanence, inviting viewers to reflect on the passage of time and the cyclical nature of life.

Many contemporary artists weave rattan into intricate structures that slowly unravel or discolor, documenting the material’s interaction with its surroundings. By embracing decay as part of the artistic process, these works challenge traditional notions of permanence in art. The tactile and ephemeral qualities of rattan also create a sensory experience, bridging the gap between nature and human creativity.

Through rattan-based installations, artists not only highlight the beauty of decay but also raise questions about sustainability and the fleeting nature of existence. This approach aligns with broader movements in eco-art and material-driven storytelling, where the medium itself becomes a narrative of transformation.