December 12, 2014 - February 12, 2015 at the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, India

Rooting (India): The Knowledge Project connects art, food, and ecology through projects by artists, activists, and farmers from primarily India and the United States. This “knowledge hub,” within an organic garden (with free organic tea served daily) presents photographs, drawings, diagrams, artists’ books, and pamphlets that highlight how communities are redefining their critical needs and devising their own solutions for long-term sustainability. This exhibition – and its companion show at Spice Harbour – creates an inviting conversational space to connect, discuss, and discover potential solutions to ecological, social, and economic challenges faced by farmers and consumers around the world.

Rooting (India): The Knowledge Project presented two discussions in the series Cross Pollination: How to connect Art, Food & Nature

If we believe we are what we eat, what would happen if we truly valued food and its creation? This discussion connects the creative work of artists, cultural activists, small businesses, and organic farmers to address some of the extreme environmental, social, and economic challenges facing local and global communities in India and the US.

Invited artists: Ravi Agarwal, Prayas Abhinav, Deborah Boardman, siteWARE: Chicago, Forager collective, Kate Daughdrill, Jim Duignan, Ken Dunn, Fernando Garcia Dory, Alexis Elton, Marianna Fairbanks, Vanessa Filley, Amber Ginsburg & Lia Rousett, Han Seok Hyun, Manish Jain from Shikshantar, Arun Kumar HG, Jenny Kendler, Kevin Kaempf, Nance Klehm, Sarah Mallin, Eric May, Meg Mitchell, Ruchika Negi & Amit Mahanti, Emmanuel Pratt, Ted Purves, Marjetica Potrč, The Plant, Peterson Garden Project, Akshay Raj Singh Rathore, Stuart Roweth, Frances Whitehead 

Seed bank donations by: Ken Dunn’s Rebuild Exchange, Kevin Kampf’s compost bags, Katherine Alexandria’s seed bombs, organic seeds from Delhi (courtesy of Hemant Sareen) and Kerala seeds in both English and Malayalam – the local language (courtesy of Kiran Sadandan)

Organic garden of vegetable plants - tomatoes, lady’s finger, chili peppers and spinach - grown by Kochi resident Tecady Matthew Varghese.

Manish Jain demonstrated how cow dung could be used for facials and soap.

The almirah and bookshelf were filled with artists’ books, handouts, and agricultural books on sustainable farming, permaculture, composting and exhibitions related to agriculture and social practice.

December 18, 2014, Aspinwall House, Kochi, India
Speakers: Akshay Raj Singh Rathore , Arunkumar HG, Kiran Sadanandan
Moderated by: Tricia Van Eck 

February 9, 2015, Aspinwall House, Kochi, India
Speakers: Ravi Agarwal, Jason Taylor, Cheruvayal Raman, Kiran Sadanandan
Moderated by: Akshay Raj Singh Rathore 

Press:

The Hindu Times, "Kochi-Muziris Biennale" - Indian newspaper highlights Rooting (India): The Knowledge Project's artists' discussion at the Kochi Biennale.