Inauguration of the ‘The Soil Assembly’ by Bose Krishnamachari, director of the Kochi-Muziris Biennale; David Kasuma, president of the World Design Organisation; Senate member Sreeni Srinivasan; Geetha Narayanan, founder of the Srishti Manipal Institute.

Workshop #1: Living Sculpture at the DLF Cabral Yard by Aastha Chauhan (In) and Kush Sethi (In)

Bio & Community artists Kush Sethi and Aastha Chauhan invites you to explore ways to build a Living sculpture with found or recycled objects, proper soil preparation, adding wild seeds and plants that are already growing around there . The intention of the artists is to interweave the existing landscape with the created sculpture with stories of the past and future. The workshop begins with a walk around the venue, participants are required to collect discarded objects (dry coconuts, discarded shoes, plastic containers etc..). that can function as planters. These planters are assembled in a sculptural form, around one of the trees in the Cabral Yard. Participants will observe closely, the green cover in and around the venue. Based on the tree, plant, insect, moss and lichens that is discovered during the walk, we conduct a quick research on the history, propagation and maintenance of the green subspecies. There will be visit to the local nursery, nearby community garden or urban gardens if possible.

Workshop #2: Placing Arts with Food and Agri-Culture (integrated gardening methods, learning from nature and indigenous practices) by Suresh Kumar (In)

In many indigenous societies, including in India, farming / gardening concepts like 'three sisters', complimentary crop farming, multi crop farming are most successfully tried and tested methods of farming for over the centuries, which would be most self-sufficient approach for feeding a family's daily needs of nutritional food. Kinds of crops like monocots (millets) dicots (beans) oil seeds (all worked as attractive pollinator plants), sacrificial plants or insect replant plants (castor) were sown together to optimize the health of the crops, which could yield better crops. It was a method that offered the communities food and wealth while they were still connected to their traditions. It also ensured an effective and sustainable method for preserving the land's biodiversity, protecting the environment, supporting soil health, and advancing natural resources. The workshop is an invitation to work with this idea of finding the ‘three sisters’ from the local landscape, from gathering wild seeds to wild growth, planting, drawing, and storytelling. The workshop will be an opportunity to connect with the community and its surroundings. It will integrate food systems with arts & culture, offering entry points to rediscover their local history, transforming spaces, and understanding their own personal and community narratives.

Workshop #1: Living Sculpture at the DLF Cabral Yard by Aastha Chauhan (In) and Kush Sethi (In)

Bio & Community artists Kush Sethi and Aastha Chauhan invites you to explore ways to build a Living sculpture with found or recycled objects, proper soil preparation, adding wild seeds and plants that are already growing around there . The intention of the artists is to interweave the existing landscape with the created sculpture with stories of the past and future. The workshop begins with a walk around the venue, participants are required to collect discarded objects (dry coconuts, discarded shoes, plastic containers etc..). that can function as planters. These planters are assembled in a sculptural form, around one of the trees in the Cabral Yard. Participants will observe closely, the green cover in and around the venue. Based on the tree, plant, insect, moss and lichens that is discovered during the walk, we conduct a quick research on the history, propagation and maintenance of the green subspecies. There will be visit to the local nursery, nearby community garden or urban gardens if possible.

Workshop #2: Placing Arts with Food and Agri-Culture (integrated gardening methods, learning from nature and indigenous practices) by Suresh Kumar (In)

In many indigenous societies, including in India, farming / gardening concepts like 'three sisters', complimentary crop farming, multi crop farming are most successfully tried and tested methods of farming for over the centuries, which would be most self-sufficient approach for feeding a family's daily needs of nutritional food. Kinds of crops like monocots (millets) dicots (beans) oil seeds (all worked as attractive pollinator plants), sacrificial plants or insect replant plants (castor) were sown together to optimize the health of the crops, which could yield better crops. It was a method that offered the communities food and wealth while they were still connected to their traditions. It also ensured an effective and sustainable method for preserving the land's biodiversity, protecting the environment, supporting soil health, and advancing natural resources. The workshop is an invitation to work with this idea of finding the ‘three sisters’ from the local landscape, from gathering wild seeds to wild growth, planting, drawing, and storytelling. The workshop will be an opportunity to connect with the community and its surroundings. It will integrate food systems with arts & culture, offering entry points to rediscover their local history, transforming spaces, and understanding their own personal and community narratives.

Screenings

Final panel with Meena Vari, Neal White, Maya Minder, Ewen Chardronnet
Sum up and announcement for the future Soil Assembly