It isn't hard to find articles about the food issues I'm interested in. But this article in particular caught my eye - it really summarises what I'm thinking. See it here.
Found this website through guardian/ethical living webpage. You type in your postcode, and it lists local producers for you, and shows on a map. See the website here.
Found this map - shows locations of publicly accessible fruit trees and other plants of interest in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois. It is on google maps, with 38,735 views. 'Created on Sep 8, 2008 - Updated 2 days ago'. See it here.
Wow, this is brilliant. The site isn't very easy to use - it's obviously just for people who are involved in the project. But this is their mission statement:'The Brooklyn Food Coalition is a grassroots partnership of individuals and groups who strive to give an effective voice to all those who live in or serve Brooklyn and wish to achieve a just and sustainable system for tasty, healthy, and affordable food'thanks Matt! see the website here.
'The theory goes like this: if you have less ruminant livestock, you emit less climate-damaging methane into the atmosphere. You also have less meat to eat, which means less saturated fat in our diets and thus less heart disease.'Somebody mentioned this issue to me - quite interesting. A report part-funded by the Department of Health came up with the idea to kill 30% of Britain's cows and sheep.
'Defra officials gently pointed out that perhaps the "kill-a-cow, save-the-world" policy might have a few flaws. First, the farming community would be a tad unhappy. And sure enough the National Farmers' Union was apoplectic, raging at the "ill-informed and simplistic report", condemning ministers for their "poor judgement". Second, cutting livestock in this country will not mean people eat less meat. We will just import more from places like Brazil and Argentina, who will cut down more rainforest to satisfy this lucrative extra demand from Europe. Third, how exactly was the government going to go about culling 30% of Britain's ruminant livestock?'
Quotes are from James Landale , Deputy political editor, BBC News, Wed 25 Nov
The exhibition photos aren't my own - it's not possible to take photos in the exhibition - I just took these from google images. But it really does look like this!
Walked past the building on Essex Road that my first-week project centred around, today. This sign was outside! I really want to go, and find out what they are planning to do with the building.
On Monday we presented all the work that we've done this term, and handed in a copy of our project brief. Above is a photomontage showing how I laid out my work for the tutors to see. We also did a five minute presentation about our area of interest, the work we've done and our intended direction.
Last week I designed a pattern and printed it onto fabric. It took me two hours to work out how to set up the sewing machine!! Then I had to adjust the tension to suit the fabric. Once I got going it was quite simple to make a bag - and satisfying.
Last week (2nd Dec) I went along to an event called TEDx London, at the hub in Kings Cross, that Rachel Wingfield and some other people were speaking at. There was a really exciting atmosphere and the people we saw speak were inspiring! Ayakko told me about a food group that meets at the hub every month, which I'm going to look into. We were also shown an inspirational TED talk by Robert Hopkins. See it here.
Went to see this exhibition, finally! Last week, on 26th November. Absolutely stunning. Hiorns filled a council flat (due to be demolished) near Elephant&Castle with copper sulphate solution for about 2 weeks, then drained it - these beautiful blue crystals are the result! They cover everything - the walls, ceiling, even the bath! He has been nominated for the Turner Prize this year.
Just saw this image. Took me a few seconds to work it out, but when I did, it really hit me and made me think about an important ethical issue. It's simple, but I think it works.
This blog was recommended to me by Rachel Wingfield of Loop.pH, who I worked for over the summer. I found a review of a book called Design is the Problem: The Future of Design Must be Sustainable by Nathan Shedroff, which is in Goldsmiths library and I intend to get it out tomorrow! I'm excited to read it as the review mentions that it addresses issues like local food. See the review on the blog here."For any activist there seems to be a problem of finding the balance between maintaining social acceptance on some level and provoking change. I begin to wonder if it’s the case that activist groups need to know more about design and how to deploy it, or if it’s the case that designers need to become better activists. Perhaps both."Ann Thorpe, designactivism.net, how do design activists cope with fear, risk, and danger?, July 20, 2009
With the help of Claire (Textiles Technician at Goldsmiths), I created this pattern and printed it onto fabric, using sublimation inks and a heat press. I did this yesterday. I really like pattern but have never tried to design it before. I'm pleased with this for a first attempt, however there are quite a few things I would change to improve it. I have printed a 42cmx80cm section of polyester cotton with this pattern, and I intend to sew it into a shopping bag on Thursday.
"Have one meat-free day per week - but don't replace with just-as-bad cheese"1010uk.org
This programme had been recommended to me twice, by my friend Jess, then by my classmate Steph. On Monday I finally watched it! The programme has an interesting approach, in that it is presented in a comedic way by Alex Riley. He approaches people high up in companies such as Mars, Lidl, and whale hunters in Japan - and then questions them in a very jokey way that they don't expect. It is quite interesting - he focuses on a different food every week."Always question why you are doing something, unless you are being paid a ridiculous amount of money, then really question it."I found these quotes recently in Design for the 21st Century (Charlotte & Peter Fiell, Taschen 2003) and I really like and agree with them. Sadly, I don't think that his work follows his thinking - he designs chairs, pens, etc...
"The classic role of designers is destined to change in the near future... industry and designers alike are becoming aware that it's all getting a bit pointless. even consumers are starting to wise up. They are beginning to question the fundamental necessity of all these things..."James Irvine, Design for the 21st Century (Charlotte & Peter Fiell, Taschen 2003)
Read about this website in an interview with Cameron Diaz, who is friends with Elizabeth Rogers. Was really impressed by the website, expecially the 'Truth or Trash' section about eco-myths. We're never quite sure if they're real or not, and this explains clearly why they are or they aren't.
Saw this website mentioned in free women's magazine, 'Stylist'. The website details correct portion sizes for the number of people you're cooking for. But for me, 100g pasta is way too much!! The site also provides two-week meal plans and corresponding shopping lists. However, the meal plan is not tailored to the individual's needs or tastes. The sections on storecupboard, fridge and freezer essentials were probably the best feature of the site.
