Land-based Practices // Community Care // and BEYOND

Working inside of a space so beautifully crafted and cultivated is a unique place for a creative process. Typically working inside of an empty studio, the content of our inspiration or work is often imagined, or held within us, brought to our workspaces in a metaphysical way. Our group spent lots of time considering what plants and animals live inside of the greenhouse, and how they came to be there. We drew connections to the real world. The smell of a plant that transported us to a different place and time. The displacement and relocation of plants, animals, people… The monetary contributions from the City of Hamilton to maintain such a pristine and comprehensive facility while the housing crisis in the city continues, year after year, with many folks who struggle with food security.

Our group brought a large array of land-based knowledge to each session. We engaged with the space and our process thoughtfully, having many recurring conversations. These thoughts, effort, knowledge, and work underpinned every session and creative component. The work did not meet our so often desired quantitative outcome. Instead, this ongoing conversation and its through line within the process began to link us to one another, to our environment, to our local community, and to the world beyond.  

The land-based practices and conversations frequently overlapped with concepts of care, and in the context of this process, community care. The Venn diagram of the two topics created a world to investigate and experience. 

To add and credit appropriately, we had a significantly impactful visit from Maria Montejo who offered a range of teachings touching on both care for self, environment, and all living beings. 

What happens next is something we will all have to wait for. Garnering more knowledge and experience doesn’t eliminate the unknown. Maintaining space and time for curiosity and discovery, we continue.  

- mike