Tierra Sostenible

“Tierra Sostenible” was a series of four gatherings in the context of the Politics of Food, Season 5 programme at Delfina Foundation, during the autumn of 2022. These meetings were part of an active research on transformative pedagogy and socially engaged art, which aimed to create a space to question and explore the interconnections between food systems and community organisation to unveil the political potential of contemporary art, in the context of the climate change emergencies and global crisis.

Over the course of the gatherings, participants took part in an open exploration of “enunciation” – a process to think through and name the causes we care about as a starting point for enacting local change. Together, we enacted micro food activism through the act of cooking, eating and sharing and developed a collection of formulas, gestures, and practices that went beyond the mind and connected with hearts and actions.

“Tierra Sostenible”, aimed at building a framework of action for social and environmental change inspired by the principle of Comunalidad. This concept, developed by local groups in Oaxaca, Southern Mexico, highlights the territory and collectivity as the centre of organisation to imagine alternative -and more responsible- connections to nature and ourselves.

By challenging and overthrowing current practices, and collaborating to create new ones, this space brought about fruitful confrontations, rich dialogues, and a wide array of flavours, sensations, and of course, food. The act of cooking itself triggered a sense of togetherness – it unveiled a necessary group auto-organisation. Picking, washing, cutting, peeling, heating the pans. As hands became active, so did the senses, sparking an unspoken type of communication. As the ingredients got warm, a scent of subtle trust invaded the space: we were getting to know each other beyond our usual categories.

Our embodied practices and knowledge spoke too, as we moulded the food with our individual understandings, whilst learning from the others’ ways. The resulting flavours, spices, colours, and plates reflected a combination of stories. Some offered locally sourced meals. Others brought narratives from distant places.

Yet, all revealed a communal effort; a glimpse of how powerful a collective can be. When the table was set, and the dishes were served, words filled our mouths before the food did. Joint discussions contributed to provide insights on how communality confronted ourselves and the group. By recognising each other and what we cooked, waves of perspectives, emotions, and ideas of action were articulated.

The group shared the realisation that change is feasible through exchange, negotiation, empathy, and awareness – that situated efforts can inspire a network of small, but cumulative, acts of resilience. Then, we ate. We laughed and tasted. We savoured the moment. In all its beauty, celebration is also a political statement:it is an enunciation.

This project was presented as part of the Delfina Foundation Politics of Food Residency, 2022. Supported by the Gaia Art Foundation. With special thanks to: Karen, Sol, David and Luciane from OmVed Gardens. Andy and Louise from Makeversity. All the Delfina Foundation staff. Viviana Chechia and Yasmine Sefraoui. Cameron Cook and Jay Lee.

COLLABORATORS

Creatives:

Emilio Hernández

Researchers:

Daniela Sclavo