Stem by Stem was commissioned by Mirvac for the foyer of the Telstra building to welcome back staff after Sydney lockdowns with the notion: stem by stem, petal by petal we welcome you. The work combines all the motifs for which ENESS is known: intricately-detailed custom patterns that contemporise traditional motifs such as the fabric of Japanese kimonos; anthropomorphised characters; oversized motion-tracking eyes; and viewer interactivity. Stem by Stem is the first artwork to include curated vegetation.

This inclusion is a natural extension in the studio’s progression whereby the possibilities of temporary structures are forever being challenged. The sweet creatures of Stem by Stem are interactive with visitor movement stimulating bursts and blooms of colour beneath their highly-patterned skins. By way of welcome and respite, an ethereal soundtrack of bird calls and soft pulsating synth notes intensify, fade and rebuild as more people move into the space.