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How can seeds inspire designs for self-activated robots or more efficient wind-turbine blades? Featuring work by photographer Taylor James, Designed to Move: Seeds That Float, Fly or Hitchhike through the Desert Southwest is a surprising, up-close look at the beauty and functional diversity of desert seed designs.  

James’s photographs illustrate the ingenious design of desert seeds that employ different methods for dispersal and propagation. They can float in the air and water, fly far from their mother plant, and hitchhike on the fur of animals. 

Exhibition organized by the Biomimicry Center at Arizona State University in collaboration with Desert Botanical Garden, ASU’s Herbarium, and ASU’s Design School. 

Join us July 7 for an opening reception (4:30 p.m.) followed by a talk (5:30 p.m.) from Adelheid Fischer, biomimicry writer, educator, and curator of the exhibition.

Designed to Move: Seeds That Float, Fly or Hitchhike through the Desert Southwest will be on view from July 7 through September 30 at the Civic Center Public Gallery, located inside Scottsdale Civic Center Library, 3839 N Drinkwater Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ 85251. To view library hours, click here.

Additionally, Scottsdale Public Art is offering a special augmented reality experience for those who view the exhibition in person at the Civic Center Public Gallery. Experience Sonoran Seed Pods, the public artworks by Scottsdale artist Jeff Zischke at George “Doc” Cavalliere Park in north Scottsdale, from the gallery in Old Town. Using the Hoverlay app, view a 3-D model of one of the Sonoran Seed Pods sculptures and walk through a portal to see the sculpture on the Frank Crerie hiking trail, in 360 degrees, on your mobile device.