Surrounded by mounds of earth and foliage, a terracotta structure stands alone inside the great hall of the Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Peekaboo windows offer a glimpse inside Mirage, the conceptual installation created by Jason Chongue and Nathan Smith of The Plant Society. Visitors enter the space and are greeted immediately by dense foliage, large spherical water features providing a natural soundtrack for the instantly calming environment. Chairs are dotted throughout the space, inviting you to sit and absorb the healing properties of the healthy surrounds.

Passionate plant people Jason and Nathan have swapped the concrete jungle for an urban oasis at this year’s Melbourne International Flower + Garden Show. Mirage is an idea that explores respite from the city through shared places of lush plant life that the community can access freely. ‘As our cities grow and become dominated by architecture, we call for more greenery to create lush moments so that our city can breathe and inspire its inhabitants,’ teh duo affirm. 

The desire to retreat into nature from the hot concrete city surfaces has never been greater. Lifelong city-slickers are leaving the grind behind for greener pastures, and personal pockets of greenery have become a staple in most homes with indoor plants on the rise. Mirage offers an immediate solution to the collective desire to escape, if only for a little while!

Mirage by The Plant Society for the Melbourne International Flowers + Garden Show
March 27th to 31st, 9am-5pm 
Royal Exhibition Building
Carlton, Melbourne