Klaus Pichler: Das Petunien-Gemetzel

In May 1990, 30,700 genetically modified petunias were planted on the premises of the Max Planck Institute for Breeding Research in Cologne, 30,700 genetically modified petunias were were planted out. A gene from maize plants had been inserted into the plants which made the petunias bloom salmon-coloured instead of white. It was the first time that genetically modified plants were allowed to grow in the allowed to grow in the open air in Germany. This was preceded by long parliamentary discussions, complex authorisation procedures and fierce protests fierce protests from environmentalists. After the trial, all the plants were
destroyed to prevent the genetically modified petunias from spreading.

But in May 2015, biologist Teemu Teeri, leaving Helsinki railway station, discovered some bright orange petunias orange-coloured petunias in a flower trough. He was surprised and took a few a few stems for tests in his laboratory. This chance encounter encounter was the starting point of a case that was later called the
"petunia crisis" and ultimately led to the destruction of all orange and orange or salmon-coloured petunia varieties worldwide.

The Petunia Carnage tells the chronology of the case in a bluntly, consisting of photos, facsimiles and artefacts that combine scientific scientific facts and archive material with fictional elements.
Pichler's photographic narrative is based on the co-operation collaboration with all the relevant players in the orange-coloured Petunia case.