Thursday Salute to Originals: Traveling Terrariums

Artist Kathleen Vance fills suitcases with brimming landscapes.

In her latest series titled Traveling Landscapes, artist Kathleen Vance creates miniature ecosystems within an unusual container — vintage suitcases.  

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Real soil, artificial foliage and even running water fill the found vessels with intricate green landscapes. The series’ most recent installment titled Spelunker even includes and underground cavern with hanging stalactites and stalagmites.

While the detailed dioramas accurately represent the natural world, themes of conservation and an appreciation for slow-paced travel inspired Vance in this project.

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“[I hope to convey] water and our natural open landscapes are our legacy to the future generations and something that must be protected and cherished,” said Vance in an interview with This is Colossal.

This Thursday, we’re saluting Kathleen Vance and her traveling terrariums. You can view more of suitcase-bound scenes on the artist’s Instagram or Website.

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Sources: Kathleen Vance, This is Colossal