‘Who Will Provide’ Exhibition at The Crypt Gallery
31/10 – 4/11 2018
Our group of thirty three MFA students explored and responded to themes relating to charity and its place in today’s world. The exhibition presented a collection of site specific works, ranging from painting to sculpture, assemblage to video through to performance and photography.
Before the summer break preparations started by putting together various teams to properly organise and execute the event. The members of the research team responded to the site by looking into its history, connecting it to its past and designed the theme ’Who Will Provide?’ around the wish list, a document from 1995 which outlined the desired purpose for the building. This included shelter and provision for the homeless, serving the nearby student population and a focal point for community activities.
I volunteered to join the Installation Team. Over the summer I visited the crypt twice with the view to inform myself about the site (wall space, wall and ceiling heights, location of electrical outlets etc.) and to explore a potential location for my own work.
Two weeks prior to the event the curating team got in touch and supplied our team with a list of required tools and materials. We also received technical information on some more complicated works and installing requirements from The Crypt Gallery itself (No drilling of new holes!). There was very good collaboration between curating and installation team and minor installation problems were efficiently dealt with.
SKILLS: HANDLING ARTWORK, COLLABORATION, PROBLEM SOLVING, ATTENTION TO DETAIL,
SITE SPECIFIC WORKING
'Urban Underground Farm'
20/2/2019 -15/4/2019
Below the streets of Clapham, beneath the London Underground’s Northern Line, in former WW2 air raid shelters, one finds ‘Growing Underground’, the world’s first underground farm.
After five years on working on this project, the founders, Richard Ballard and Steven Dring, opened the tunnels for tours and I joined one of them to learn about its fascinating history and future in a sustainable world.
The two founders constructed a hydroponic farm in a network of tunnels that can supply local restaurants and retailers with fresh herbs and vegetables. This farming method involves growing plants in a mineral-rich solution on specially controlled temperature and lighting conditions by using low energy LED grow lights.
A recirculating water system and 33m of earth above the tunnels help maintaining a consistent temperature. The subterranean location also means that one doesn’t need to worry about pests and diseases or unpredictable weather.
Descending around 180 steps we arrived at the changing room where we had to remove all jewellery and leave personal belongings behind; slipping into white lab coats and rubber boots and covering hair, we then needed to thoroughly wash our hands and sanitise them to avoid cross contamination.
Stepping into ‘pink glow’ chambers we were introduced to the various stages of this farming process. The crops grown here include pea shoots, rocket, mizuna, broccoli, red vein sorrel, garlic chives, mustard leaves, as well as edible flowers and miniature vegetables. We were offered samples of some of the herbs and they tasted absolutely delicious!!!
Growing Underground has received backing from celebrity chef Michel Roux Jr and supplies now, among others, Planet Organic, Wholefoods, Marks &Spencer and Waitrose supermarket.
Steve, who led the tour and is engagingly enthusiastic about their project, emphasised the importance of ‘growing food closer to consumption’, therefor reducing drastically food miles for retailers and consumers.