Planet Nursery, 2016
Concretions, bamboo, Plexiglas, water, water pump, sand
121 × 85 × 70 cm

Planet Nursery, an architectonic structure reminiscent of a fountain or an organ, combines Plexiglas tubes, bamboo stalks, sand, water and trovanţi or "concretions"—remarkable rock formations found mainly in Romania that are the subject of mysterious tales and legends. Trovanţi are said to have the power to grow, multiply, and even move around by themselves. Inspired by the stories surrounding them, Adrien Missika invented a machine to make planets on which humans could take refuge. The purpose of Planet Nursery, a closed circuit mixing sand, water and vegetation, is to make the stones sitting on top of each tube grow in volume until they become as big as stars. This micro ecosystem full of promise also serves as a temple, since the Plexiglas tubes are engraved with glyphs inspired by The Maya Book of the Dead.