Future Light from distant stars
Future Light from Distant Stars was a multi-part project initiated by artist David Beattie, which took place over 18 months from June 2022 – December 2023. The project's focal point is a large greenhouse utilised as a growing environment, a meeting place, and a workshop space in partnership with VISUAL Centre for Contemporary Art, a series of public engagements connected with the wider Carlow community. The project explores self-sufficiency, collective care, and sustainable food production while examining the potential for community, scientific, and collaborative exchange to address the climate emergency.
Future Light from Distant Stars is funded by the ESB Brighter Future Arts Fund in partnership with Business to Arts, supporting artists and organisations that engage communities on sustainability, climate change, and a net zero future.
Commissioned by David Beattie to collaborate and generate a Food experience akin to Porto Aperta that highlighted the importance of commoning and the results of the collective labour. I was granted full access to all the vegetables grown in the greenhouse and the grounds of VISUAL Carlow. In response, I developed a tasting menu of lime leaf and locally sourced buttermilk soup. Berries were collected on the gallery grounds and fermented in 2% salt. I also used the Jarrahdale pumpkin the community grew to make soup and other bites made from the grown Veg.
As we ate together, we discussed the importance of commoning and hospitality.
