small projects & collaborations
2030 SURVIVAL GUIDE (TIP #19): FIELD DRESSING
is a visual double entendre and a provocation to consider a future impacted by climate change from a disaster preparedness perspective. The illustration provides basic instructions on how to field dress a rabbit in case of food scarcity. It also brings to the fore questions around the abdication of climate action and responsibility by the global elite; altruism and population control; and, international food security. The most rigorous scientific report published in human history states we only have 11 years to curb run-away climate change and collapse. Some are preparing for the worst better than others in the game of ‘survival of the richest’. For instance, billionaires are investing in prime farmland globally; ‘doomsday bunkers’ are now hot real estate for rich ‘preppers’; and, most apocalyptic survival guides are written by and for middle-class, often middle-aged, white men. In Australia, this same demographic is respectively 10% of the population, yet they hold over 70% of seats in politics and leadership across the corporate, academic, media and judiciary sectors. What does that mean for commoners? Disasters heighten disadvantage. By the time the elite take action, it might be too late for most commoners. Hence, why the stakes are extremely high this ‘hunting’ election season.
CLIMARTE POSTER PROJECT II (2019)
Curated by Will Foster
UNITED INDIGENOUS COLLECTIVE - Kitchen Table
In collaboration with James Oliver and Jason Baerg, the UIC hosted five days of kitchen table discussions around First Nations protocols of practice with various guests. Kitchen Table was held at Siteworks in Brunswick, Victoria between 6-10 May 2019 apart of the Yirramboi First Nations Festival. A series of handmade ceramic bowls were created by James and Jason, with every participant being gifted one at t. Each day a soup, bread and tea were provided by Fair Share Fare - based on First Nations recipes (e.g. Métis Bullet Soup, Three Sisters Soup, Hebridean oatcakes, etc.). The project is ongoing.
SURVIVAL SKILLS IN DESPERATE TIMES
Jen Rae hosted a workshop for Survival Skills in Desperate Times (7/8 October 2017) called 'CRUNCH: Bugs & Weeds'.
More details here
Foraged weeds. Photograph by Emma Byrnes.
What's in your pavement pantry? You’re hungry. You haven’t eaten for days. Do you know what is edible growing on the nature strip or crawling in your backyard? This cooking demonstration invites you to mix and match bugs and weeds into tasty protein shakes and energy bars. We are looking for a new delicious combo to make it into the Fair Share Fare Future Proof Survival Guide.
RECIPES
Do or Die protein shake
Blend 250ml of coconut milk with 1/2 cup of yoghurt and 1/2 cup of ice. Add in 1 handful of stinging nettle (it looses the sting when blended), 1heaping tbsp. of cacao nibs and 1 tbsp. dried mealworms. Sweeten with coconut or maple syrup.
I Feel Fine (thanks R.E.M.) energy ball
Blend in a food processor handful of raw cashews, 1/2 cup of almond meal, 3 tbsp. hemp seeds, 1 cup of dehydrated bananas and apples and 1/4 cup cricket meal. Add in ~1/4 -1/2 cup coconut oil to bind the ingredients so they stick together and roll in a ball. Roll ~10-14 balls depending on desired size. Roll balls into a mix of black ants and desiccated coconut. Refrigerate and serve. NOTE: can be stored in a cool space for up to 3 weeks.
Above: photography by Emma Byrnes
COMMUNITY PUNCH
There once a punch in a lane
Of lemons, mint and sugarcane
Tart to the lips
Without any pips
Fragrant, sour and not too plain
The Community Punch + Limerick Slam was a collaborative project between Jen Rae and long-term North Melbourne resident/storyteller Lorna Hannan for the Arts House’s annual Summertime Party. With the help of local fruit growers and volunteer collectors, fruit, honey and herbs were harvested to produce twelve tasty community punch blends. The project aimed to begin mapping local North Melbourne fruit trees, the stories about the growers, and to share the fruits of labour from the pickers. Whilst sipping on a special blend like The Purcell Pucker-Up or The Adeline Sour, local residents wrote springtime limericks on bunting, which Lorna recited to audiences.