Planting Performance at MERL happened on 5 March 2010 11am-1pm. Weather conditions for the Planting were good; frost overnight, sun bright and warm, slight breeze, last rainfall a few days before, specifics for planting were appropriate.
Grounds men had recently deposited a large pile of compost that was available for usage. The compost was derived from recycled green waste at the University. Some of the compost was shoveled into three wheelbarrow loads and delivered to the Allotment Plot, then shoveled out and spread with the use of an historic rake. The rake was purchased at a car boot sale four years ago and handed to the artist.
Seed planting began including conversation. Artist as a subject is not a gardener, but Artist is performing planting and gardening. Artist is planting performance within the arena of MERL, the museum’s garden. The Allotment Plot is a performance area. Performance and growing is the artist’s medium, for the artist this is the same as painting or sculpture. The artist’s intention is to encourage critical debate with persons that may come into direct or indirect contact with the artist. The aesthetic surrounds ethics and political motivation or material. The viewer may or may not wonder what other impulses are hidden behind the Allotment Plot. There is more within and behind the Plot.
Organic vegetable seeds planted were as follows: 2 rows of Brussels Sprouts ‘Darkmar 21′, 1 row of Cauliflower ‘Snowball’, 2 rows of Parsnip ‘Halblange White’, 1 row of Carrots ‘Amsterdam Forcing’, 1 row of Kale ‘Pentland Brig’. Other organic herb and flower seeds were also planted; Dill, Coriander Santos, Flat Leaved Parsley, Borage, Nasturium, Pot Marigold ‘Calendula Officinalis’ and Cosmos ‘Cosmea’.
What seeds germinate and what will survive to grow to maturity is a hidden mystery, unpredictable from the start. Harvest is the intention. Weather acts as an agent. Wild life that is present in the garden can harvest at will unless blocked by human interference. Biodiversity acts out its role as assistant in promotion and deterrent in the organic state, with no need for chemical warfare.
