The “Fortune” series delves into the invasive spread of the “Trachycarpus fortunei” also known as “Tessinerpalme” in the lush forests of Ticino in Switzerland. These Chinese palms, originally introduced in Europe by English botanist Robert Fortune and popularized in the 1960s to create an exotic ambiance around Lake Maggiore, have escaped from cultivated gardens and swiftly transformed the local landscape into a simulacrum of tropical jungles, leaving an indelible mark on native biodiversity.

Gross employs multi-spectral exposures, a technique borrowed from agriculture and forestry, to accentuate the palms’ incongruous presence and reveal their spectral signatures—making the invisible visible.

The “Fortune” series is part of a wider project called “Greetings” which unfolds across distinct chapters, each named after a species of palm tree. This thought-provoking showcase uses the palm tree — once a beacon of prosperity and exoticism — as a prism through which to examine the paradoxes of our globalized world. Gross unveils how these iconic plants mirror humanity, reflecting environmental challenges, biodiversity loss, and the shifting sands of society.

Throughout “Greetings,” Yann Gross skillfully uses a range of photographic and artistic techniques, drawing on collective symbols and cultural imaginations to prompt viewers to reconsider the landscapes they inhabit and the images that shape their worldview. This exhibition goes beyond traditional art, offering a journey that explores the complex relationship between the palm tree, human aspirations, environmental shifts, and cultural narratives. Gross’s work challenges us to critically examine the stories we tell about nature and culture, deepening our understanding of the forces shaping our global landscape and our place within it.