http://thebigneighborhoodorchard.wordpress.com/

This project invites interactions within the community through a series of workshops, bike rides, recipe exchanges and public tree planting ceremonies. Several tree planting locations are on public and private land in Champaign-Urbana, IL. The planting ceremonies are recorded/documented in order to exhibit the work in art venues beyond the tree locations. The trees selected are native to the Midwest region and will be fruit baring varieties in order to convey the themes of self-sufficiency and food sharing. This project is a collaboration with JP Goguen.

We all have the basic need to feed ourselves. In this time of air shipment, limited fuels, rising costs, depleted resources, and desire for convenient food, it's important to investigate the impact we have politically and environmentally when we make decisions regarding where to source our food from. My artistic methods allow for participant input and flexibility in the actual ceremonial presentations which may include music dedicated to the trees, speeches by city officials, input from children in local schools or summer camps, tree decorations, plaque, sculptures, online maps of the trees, etc. Ideas welcome, please contact me.

Week full of fun events, these are the two I'm directly involved in:

Friday, October 23rd - 7pm -
Heaven Gallery 1550 N Milwaukee Ave, 2nd fl
Johalla Projects 1561 N Milwaukee Ave, 2nd fl
Opening reception - The Yield: 2009 Resident Exhibition
Performance by Troglodite Tryptich
Dj Bea

Saturday, October 24th - 1-5pm -
Heaven Gallery 1550 N Milwaukee Ave, 2nd fl
2pm - "Interactive Seasonal Yum" by Yours Truly
(Performance + food)

I'm headed back to the tree farm at the end of July for more adult art camp fun (potentially slaughtering a chicken among other activities...) Harold Arts

August 2009!
The Big Neighborhood Supper Blog
Stay tuned to participate or get more details.
youtube video about the project.