Erin Stack
GAL created several temporary installations of site-inspired “Green Haiku” along the Newburyport waterfront. The installation site at an urban park and river boardwalk, brings into focus how the natural environment is “developed” and tamed for human consumption. Pedestrians discovering these “Green Haiku” were given the opportunity to reflect on their experience and influence on Nature. .
GAL has installed Green Haiku at the Newburyport Waterfront in 2007 and 2008. The photo above is a haiku by Erin Stack.
Continue reading ‘Newburyport Green Haiku’
Savage Rituals
Erin Stack
Stephenie Strogney
Erin Stack and Stephenie Strogney collaborate annually on an interactive performance called a “Savage Ritual.”
“Savage Rituals”, Earth Day, 2008, Newburyport, MA
This roaming interventionist performance, addressed Americans’ ambivalent, veiled as romanticized, relationship to Nature. Our “friendly” polar bear offered gifts of cards to people on the street and in commercial establishments. These cards were inscribed with one of twenty-six “Savage Rituals”. These rituals, when performed, would press for a more intimate relationship with Nature and were often humorous and always challenging.
Continue reading ‘Roaming Intervention: Savage Rituals’
Hungry Ghost on Bartlett Mall, Newburyport, MA
Inspired by Kafka’s short story, Metamorphosis and Buddhist Cosmology, GAL’s roaming intervention, “Metamorphosis: Hungry Ghost” is a cautionary tale of excessive consumption. A GAL barker led our character, the Hungry Ghost, through an Earth Day fair announcing the tragic news that Stephenie, a savvy, yet profligate shopper, awoke one morning transformed into a ravenous Hungry Ghost. She is now doomed to roam the world consuming without ever being satisfied. The public was encouraged to feed the hungry ghost by putting their waste water bottles, napkins, candy wrappers, etc. through the many gaping red mouths of the ghost. This waste could then easily be seen through the translucent “digestive sacs” that lay exposed on the outside of her body.
Hungry Ghost Getting Sugar Fix at Convenience Store
New Eden Gardeners Plotting the Garden 3/21/2009
Vegetables in Flower at Community Garden
In July 2008, First Parish Church, Newbury worked with GAL other New Eden Collaborative members on the the design and construction of a float for Newburyport’s Yankee Homecoming parade. The theme of the float was The Octopus’s Garden – One Earth One Family. Our float won the coveted Mayor’s Award for originality and best exemplifying Yankee Homecoming’s theme of “Family”. GAL also began working on a 9′ x 60′ mural on “Visions of a Sustainable Future” based on input from New Eden Collaborative members. GAL artists worked on the mural during the hours of the Greater Newburyport CSA weekly vegetable share distribution to create an opportunity for dialogue with New Eden members on vision and hopes for a sustainable future.
New Eden Collaborative projects for 2009 include:
- GAL-taught organic gardening classes and seed exchange
- Community garden design
- Design and construction of compost heap (Waste Folly) and cold frames (“We Reap What We Sow”) made from reclaimed materials
- Design and Construction of a children’s cottage and garden from recycled materials
GAL will be working with the three communities documenting their experience of working together through out the growing season.
Adam's Garden, First Parish Church, 2008
