An interesting article by reporter Kathy Rumleski in the London Free Press last week-end about artist Ron Benner's garden installation project "As the Crow Flies" and book launch of "Gardens of a Colonial Present". The installation was first exhibited in Montreal in 1984 and involved years of research and investigation.
Within the garden are photos that trace the militarization of food and society as well as themes of activism, environmentalism and global food politics.
"Certain countries view food as a form of warfare.....the roots of this warfare are hidden, like a plant's."
Artist, Ron Benner
The book is a compilation of newly commissioned essays, published material and photographs and, as Rumleski reports, "Gardens of a Colonial Present" reminds us that we are still affected by colonialism. Food can be used as a form of warfare.
If you would like to meet the artist to discover more about this work visit the 4th Annual Corn Roast Saturday, September 13, 2:00 to 4:00 pm. at the Wolf Sculpture Garden,
Museum London, London, Ontario. Ron Benner will be at his garden installation "As the Crow Flies" for "a corn roast"..part sculpture, part installation and part performance.
