The Botanical Fainting Couch

The Botanical Fainting Couch is an interactive bronze bench, measuring roughly 96" l. x 50" d. x 48" h.  It has a botanical taxonomy theme.  Each letter has the texture of a different plant that is identified with the corresponding letter.  A is for Acer, B is for Begonia, C is for Comptonia...

It was designed specifically for public garden spaces and is intended to excite and educate viewers of all ages about botany and plant identification.  Site specific learning tools, maps, and interactive games can be designed around the BFC.

Featured
Botany
Botany

Each plant texture on the BFC contrasts with the next.  Touching and engaging with each letter naturally leads to plant recognition.

Taxonomy
Taxonomy

Juglans (walnut) and Fucus (a seaweed), two surface textures of the BFC, are identified by their Latin genus.

Typography
Typography

H is for Hosta.  Every letter of the alphabet is represented with a unique typographical style.

Discovery
Discovery

Children gravitate to the BFC, because they see the letters and like to find the whole alphabet.  They look for the letter of their name, which leads to interest in the plant textures.

Education
Education

Educational programming and fun games are easily designed around the BFC.  Such programming can be custom tailored to your setting, with references to local plants and trees.  

in the Garden
in the Garden

The BFC can be installed indoors or out.

Every garden space and cultural institution is different, and so is its mission.  The BFC has plants from every region of the US, but would also be at home in any international setting.  The Latin botanical genus identifications are universally used across the globe.  Below are some examples of supporting materials and some additional facts about the BFC. 

Featured
Plant List
Plant List

From A to Z, these are the taxonomical names of each plant.  Common plants, such as Maple, Oak, Grape and Corn, can be found, but may require a little investigating in order to name them scientifically.  

Site Specific Educational Materials
Site Specific Educational Materials

This brochure was designed for The BFC's visit to Heritage Museums and Gardens on Cape Cod.  It helped to educate visitors about the BFC and the plants they could find at their site.

Learning Tools
Learning Tools

The map shows the locations of some of the plants on the BFC, and challenges people to find and identify these plants.

Xanthoria
Xanthoria

This is the lichen, Xanthoria, used for the X on the BFC.  It was found on a gravestone in Woods Hole, MA, and its identity was confirmed by a botanists at Harvard University.

Metasequoia Fossil
Metasequoia Fossil

The fossil that secured Metasequoia's spot on the BFC.  Found at Harvard University's Museum of Natural History.

Saved from Extinction
Saved from Extinction

The BFC offers teaching opportunities beyond the obvious.

Bronze Key
Bronze Key

This key, shown in the workshop, was created to accompany the first casting of the BFC.