Publication

FLORA – When Roots Grow Wonders

The publication FLORA – When Roots Grow Wonders complements the exhibition with in-depth perspectives on its exhibits and central themes. It spans a wide arc, from medieval healing knowledge through the historical marginalisation of women in the context of medicine, all the way to today's debates around the relationship between humans and nature.

Experts from a wide range of disciplines explain, among other things, the historical significance of the Gart der Gesundheit – the heart of the exhibition – share ecological background knowledge and outline the current challenges facing us and our ecosystem. At the same time, the booklet looks at new readings of how we understand nature, as well as concrete ways to act for a shared life on our planet.

Through QR codes, the publication offers digital extensions and invites readers to explore the exhibition beyond its physical spaces.

The book is out
160 pages, softcover. Institut für Mediengestaltung, Hochschule Mainz 2026
ISBN 978-3-936483-11-6

Available for 15 € at the museum shop of Gutenberg-Museum MOVED, Reichklarastraße 1 in Mainz — or online from the Gutenberg-Museum shop, plus postage. The publication is in German.

The publication was launched on 18 June 2026 at the exhibition's Bergfest, the halfway celebration: a floral get-together with songs by »Spurenelemente«, floral interventions, herb treats and drinks in front of the two museums on Reichklarastraße.

Order the book — 15 €

Look inside the book

Drag or swipe 13 pages

  • Book cover: light green background, large »flora« lettering with a drawn plant, subtitle »Wenn aus Wurzeln Wunder wachsen« below

    Cover

  • Spread: a pink plant illustration on dark green on the left, the foreword text on the right

    Foreword

  • Spread showing the book’s table of contents

    Contents

  • Chapter opening »Der Gart der Gesundheit« by Pia Rudolph, with a coloured woodcut from the 1485 herbal on the left

    Der Gart der Gesundheit

  • Spread with two historical illustrations: a coloured lily and a figure of the Virgin with a lily

    Illustrations from the Gart

  • Spread: text on historical plant lore on the left, a facsimile of the »Cardo benedictus« page on the right

    From the herbal

  • Spread: an illustration of lavender and juniper on the left, a photo of the »Der Gart der Gesundheit« media station on the right

    Plants and media station

  • Spread: a collage of wild strawberries in violet and green on the left, a close-up of blue borage flowers on the right

    Plant portraits

  • Spread with two pointed-arch window motifs, a bright projection on the left, a floral ornament on dark green on the right

    Window motifs

  • Spread on the exhibition beds: a photo of a bed on the left, texts on the »Hildegard von Bingen« bed and the sun bed with QR codes on the right

    The exhibition beds

  • Chapter opening »Frauen und Heilpflanzen« by Annette Kerckhoff, with a photo of an exhibition projection on the left

    Frauen und Heilpflanzen

  • Chapter opening »Verwobene grüne Welten« by Irene Schütze, with a photo of an installation under a roof truss on the left

    Verwobene grüne Welten

  • Back cover on light green with the blurb about the publication, the Flora emblem and the ISBN 978-3-936483-11-6

    Back cover

Digital extensions
18. June 2026
Released at the Bergfest

Funded by

Thanks to