STRAWBERRY FIELDS

Outdoor installation in Brussels

March 1 - 31, 2007

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Strawberry Fields [ge.net.i.cal.ly mod.i.fied] is an installation of 250 wooden strawberries placed on the trees along Rue Montagne de la Cour in the center of Brussels, behind the Magritte Museum. The strawberries were carved from a model designed by Ali Cabbar and then hand-painted by the artist.

Their unexpected presence in the trees creates a playful yet unsettling intervention in the urban landscape, “genetically modifying” the space itself and surprising passersby.

​Beyond its visual impact, the installation raises questions about the presence of genetically modified products in everyday life, along with their potential benefits and dangers. The bright, attractive strawberries initially appear harmless, but their repetition and artificiality suggest a deeper sense of unease. This contrast reflects the public debate around genetically modified food—between convenience and control, abundance and risk, innovation and ethical concern. Created as part of the BrxlBravo Art Festival, the work invites viewers to reflect on how much of what we consume is natural, altered, or quietly shaped beyond our awareness.