Cultivating Crops & Thoughts with Innovative Planter Designs

Alternative Planters, as it turn out, is a self described FuturePunk hydroponics concept that cultivates plants and imagination.

Heres’ the story:

We see a lot of stuff through the course of our day scrolling through social media (some of it even good) and Alternative Planters Instagram account jumped into our field of view like a deer in headlights, stopping our cramped scroll happy thumbs dead in their tracks.

“What is THIS?! “

To a hydroponicicist, clearly there is something unique and special going on here. 

Alternative Planters renders combine super slick graphics in a rough around the edges style that depicts visually striking schematics for growing plants. And in a light that has not been seen before. 

The gears in the grey matter started spinning–is this real or is it a concept or something else?

Turns out to be all of that, plus a whole lot more.

We felt compelled to message Alternative Planters, a self described FuturePunk cultivation page on Instagram. To our delight, they responded back stating that they would be pleased to speak with Grozine so we could learn more about what’s behind these unique ideas expertly created in a one-of-a-kind style.

Keith, the visionary behind the drawings at Alternative Planters based out of Hamburg Germany, graciously set some time aside and here’s some of the conversation we shared:

GZ:

Wow, Keith! We are really blown away by what we have seen in your posts. Your drawings provoke a lot of thought for a hydroponic mind. First off, we want to say excellent work–it’s not easy in this day and age to come up with something so different and unique, in any field. What inspires you to create as you uniquely do?

Keith:

Thanks, I’ve been following your work too and it’s clear to me you are deep into hydroponic growing.  I enjoy seeing your crops thriving in a variety of cool looking systems-they always look so healthy and vibrant!.

I love the idea of people growing plants in general, especially with hydroponics. What I haven’t seen as much of is an aesthetic beyond practical necessity in hydroponic system design.  Why not make it more interesting on a visual level besides simply being functional.  You know, something to enhance one’s surroundings beyond the plants themselves? So I put my own twist, that I call FuturePunk, on the proven hydroponic systems I have seen or grown with as the basis for my inspiration.

GZ:

Ah, so you are more than an artist! A grower as well–you sound like a renaissance man!

Keith:

Ha, perhaps. My background is actually in business, logistics and experiential learning. Hydroponics and agriculture is something that I seemed to naturally gravitate towards.  As a matter of fact, I set up a farm in West Africa and have learned that cultivation can be as challenging as it is rewarding. On so many levels!

GZ:

So you have been able to bring some of your FuturePunk hydroponic concepts to life?

Keith:

Yes, to date I have worked with a Cafe and a Climbing Facility (parkour) in setting up some growing systems.

GZ:

So, looking at your website AlternativePlanters.com we see that detailed drawings of your FuturePunk hydroponic and aquaponic systems are available free as downloads—how does that work, exactly, in terms of people growing in your systems?

Keith:

Yes, that’s right! People can access my detailed drawings because I want to see them come to life. People can source their own materials and build on my concepts.  They can also book paid time with me for consultations to discuss the details and practical aspects of their Alternative Planters build.

GZ:

This is very unique and refreshing! 

We could imagine seeing Alternative Planters FuturePunk Hydroponics designs in public areas and corporate spaces; they would do a lot to enhance everyday surroundings on so many levels.  

People need plants, and there seems to be diminishing opportunities for people to develop this important connection.  Personally speaking, it seems to be in our DNA!  

Besides helping to clean the air, the greenery or even food that comes from plants growing in systems helps us stay connected to our more natural state of being.  Coupled with some moving water and bright lighting, it becomes highly therapeutic, especially in urban environments.

Keith:

Exactly! 

Cultivate your imagination!

Visit AlternativePlanters.com

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