Finding moments to reconnect with nature feels more vital than ever – and makes this year’s Nature Festival, and the installation Pleasance, a requisite for some R&R.

The 2024 Nature Festival, with its diverse program of over 400 events across South Australia, offers a perfect opportunity to rediscover our connection to nature.

Spanning arts, music, Aboriginal culture, food, wine and adventure, the festival caters to all ages and interests, encouraging everyone to experience the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

Among this year’s highlights is Pleasance, an immersive installation hosted in the courtyard sculpture garden of the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA). Inspired by the tranquil flow of Karrawirra Parri River Torrens, Pleasance is an architectural folly that merges art and nature in a way that surprises and delights.

Created by the innovative practices of Superbloom and Fallow, Pleasance is more than an installation – it’s a living artwork. Visitors are invited to engage deeply with nature through a unique experience where plants and sculptures blend to create a tactile landscape rich in colour, texture and beauty. This installation draws its inspiration from the serene surroundings of the river, encouraging visitors to pause, reflect and immerse themselves in the natural world.

Superbloom and Fallow bring a unique blend of expertise to this project. Superbloom, known for its dynamic approach to plant design and horticulture, emphasises the importance of biodiversity and community engagement with nature. Fallow, on the other hand, focuses on site-sensitive, immersive presentations in public spaces, using sculpture, installation and performance to foster a deeper connection between people and their environment.

Together, these practices have crafted Pleasance as a space that is not only visually stunning but also deeply meaningful. The installation serves as a testament to their shared belief in the power of nature to inspire, heal and connect.

Amber Cronin from Fallow describes Pleasance as an evolution of the concept of a “pleasance ­– an enclosed garden designed to provide a transition between the indoors and the wider natural world”. Here, it acts as an extension of AGSA, blending architectural elements with botanical beauty. It’s a space where plants are the main actors, facilitating moments of connection and contemplation.

The concept of Pleasance was born out of a desire to explore the theme of ‘awe’ that underpins this year’s Nature Festival. Jac Semmler from Superbloom highlights the importance of nurturing a sense of wonder through our interactions with nature.

“Experiences in nature so often nurture a sense of awe within us and how do we continue to cultivate that in a modern world,” she says.

“Transitions between places are curious, between inside and outside, built form and the natural world. May we live and engage more in the transition, be drawn more often outside, and meet plants to stoke more awe.”

Visitors are encouraged to engage with Pleasance on their own terms, whether by taking a moment to sit and reflect, or by simply wandering through the space and experiencing the art of nature up close. As Tom from Fallow puts it, “Pleasance is a bit like a plant gallery – a place where people can come to be enriched by plants in the same way they are enriched by art”.

This collaborative effort has resulted in a space that blurs the line between the human and the more-than-human. It’s a reminder of our deep connection to the natural world and an invitation to celebrate this bond.

Pleasance offers Nature Festival-goers a chance to slow down and experience a different kind of engagement with the environment. It’s a space where nature takes centre stage, inviting you to explore, reflect and perhaps discover something new about yourself and the world around you. Whether you’re an art lover, a plant enthusiast, or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, Pleasance promises a memorable experience.

See the full 2024 Nature Festival program at the website.