decomposing silicon fruits by michel lamoller

banana, mandarin, orange – without peels but layer of silicone

food decomposes because bacteria, fungi, oxygen and moisture all convert plant matter back to basic organic soil nutrients. but what happens when fruit peels get replaced by their silicon copies? in ‘fruits’ the research by german artist michel lamoller, a selection of fruits are peeled and enclosed by a layer of silicon, ultimately slowing down their decomposition. the organic food slowly starts to enter a breakdown process which can be watched in it detail, thanks to the almost transparent enclosure. after almost five months nothing is left inside.

first week

after about 1 month

after about two months

research location