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MAGAZINES
THE PLANT
JOURNAL
Espagne, semestriel, 124 p., n o 1, 200 x 270 mm, 12 €
theplantjournal.info
L’écologiquement correct agace depuis un certain temps déjà, notamment l’urbain, qui
n’a avec la nature que des rapports assez aseptisés. Mais presque à l’opposé des différents
diktats environnementaux, il y a les rencontres quotidiennes avec la nature :
un légume, une fleur, un arbre, fût-ce sur un marché, dans un jardin public ou un
livre. Par un effet de contraste, la vertu d’une plante verte se trouve augmentée dans
un tel cadre urbain. Les trois fondatrices de The Plant Journal – toutes trois espagnoles
– ont donc consacré un magazine sur le sujet de la plante et livrent un ovni
dans le champ des magazines de style ; paysages, jardins, conseils pour ses boutures
ou son jardin domestique… Ça donne une sorte de Rustica chic, puisqu’on y croise
les plantes de Mark Borthwick, les bouquets de Scheltens & Abbenes ou encore les
Doubleplants de Bless… Des modes d’emploi, mais aussi des récits de fiction ou une
anthologie des films de Rohmer du point de vue végétal… The Plant Journal adopte un
ton léger, presque intemporel. La DA lorgne du côté de l’esthétique néerlandaise d’un
Gentlewoman (papier gris, composition des titres), mais ça semble devenu un standard
aujourd’hui. Les natures mortes sont « naturellement » présentes, tout comme les illustrations,
qui donnent un relief irréel et imaginaire au magazine, un peu trop réaliste
sinon. The Plant Journal s’inscrit dans la lignée d’un Apartamento, aujourd’hui devenu
un succès, mais il n’est pas qu’un magazine de passionnés de jardinage urbain et il
devra le confirmer pour son deuxième numéro.
EXTRAIT
MY STAGHORN STOY
This first time I came into contact with this plant as after my boyfriend’s
mother moved out of her office space. She decided to give her plant
to me. I was very pleased and immediately took joy in hanging the
new staghorn fern abovemy, at thetime dreary-looking, dining table.
My housemates and my boyfriend all benefitted from a daily glimpse
of the tropics. As a confessed Wikipedia addict, I didn’t hesitate to look
up, however to my dismay there was little information. Thus I began
scrawling around for more info elsewhere. Discovering that the species
was native to tropical and temperate zones including Australia, I felt
instantly at home. A little green goes a long way. After getting used to
the hint of colour, we decided we wanted more life surrounding us; so
went hunting for more. It was the beginning of our little rainforest in
amidst an industrial city littered with grey concrete slabs and unforgiving
metal constructions. The plants provided a sanctuary and coming
home was exactly the thing I needed to unwind. As the months went
on, something quite curious happened to me. Though I’d heard about it
happening before, I was oddly surprised –I started to talk to the plants,
treating them like pets. It must be common among gardeners and plantloved,
I reminded myself.
The down fall of the staghorn fern started when my boyfriend and I
went on vacation. We gave precise instructions to our housemate to take
care of all our plants, hoping that upon arrival they would still be alive.
Normally these plants need a semi-lit place in the house –direct light
is not recommended. We usually water them every one and half to two
weeks with one cup of water. So inevitably, after one month away, the
plant had suffered and welcomed us home with droopy, lifeless tentacles.
I was super sad, not to mention annoyed t my careless housemate.
Anyway, we thought we’d try a rescue plan! Again, consulting the digital
realm, I read other testimonials for advice: reports, articles, etc. But to
no avail. We stumbled across a plant shop quite close to our house selling
the exact same plant only much healthier and happier.
[…] Amy Wu p. 54
DIRECTION :
Cristina Merino, Isabel Merino
& Carol Montpart
EDITOR IN CHIEF :
Cristina Merino
ART DIRECTION:
Isabel Merino & Carol Montpart
PUBLISHER:
The Plant Journal
MAGAZINE N O 5
24