“Tropical Collectors (Bates, Spruce and Wallace)” is an installation artwork created in 2009 by artist Mark Dion and is associated with the Neo-Dada art movement. The artwork features a meticulously arranged collection of objects reminiscent of an exploration or expedition setup, evocative of the scientific and naturalist pursuits of the 19th century.
The artwork presents a corner space filled with a variety of items placed on a sandy floor. The collection includes wooden crates, barrels, suitcases, and various scientific instruments and tools, suggesting the paraphernalia one might take on an expedition to the tropics. There are also books, bottles, rope, and other miscellaneous items, all carefully arranged to convey a sense of historical exploration and collection. The installation, through its detailed and thoughtful assembly of objects, invites viewers to reflect on themes of discovery, science, and the passage of time.
