A feast of food, art and music

Sunday 07 October 2018

An artistic evening to get islanders to reconnect with nature is promising to tickle all senses next week.

Natasha Dettman, an art director who designs and builds large scale immersive sets, venues and lighting installations, has teamed up with India Hamilton, a chef and food researcher, to organise a 'Biophilic Feast' at CCA Galleries on 11 and 12 October.

Their event invites the public to enjoy a meal together, with the aim of sparking "a reconnection and rekindled respect for the sources of our nourishment, whether cultivated or cultural." So far, the proposition has proven so popular that, despite originally planned as a one-night-only affair, a second serving was added on 11 October.

The pair met in 2014 while working on an ephemeral restaurant for Lucas Brothers as part of the Branchage festival. Their new collaboration was inspired by India’s experiences on a closed-loop farming project in Hydrabad and a common desire to "initiate awareness and create viable projects to invest in the health of Jersey’s soil and water." 

They explain: "There is a current school of thought that the earth has entered a new era, the Anthropocene, an era dominated by man. However, it is also believed that a homogenous relationship with our environment should be effortless given our DNA is inextricably interwoven with all living things."

The event will take place across two rooms. The first, described as "more clinical" will transport the public inside a science lab to explore microbiology and humans' common ancestor. The second one will be about "the heart and soul of nature", with soils and roots representing the old forms and a visual set designed by Natasha. 

Accompanying will be a menu entirely from local seasonal produce, starting with a first course named 'Woodland Mezze' to be eaten with hands. "People will be able to forage from the table. There will be herbs, flowers, mulberries and fermented cheese. It's all about the feeling and the smell of the soil and forest."

The second course was crafted to explore "the interruptions and formalised ways of eating" society has adopted. Finally, the last course will be about memory and sentimentality to nature. Natasha explains: "When we are sentimental about food, it sometimes is food that is produced in natural ways. We wanted to explore what it signifies for us."

"Everyone is in daily contact with nature through their food and we want people to feel this connection," continues Natasha. "We want to spark a rekindling of love and respect and hope that it will resonate beyond the evening and will fit into people's daily life."

Pictured: Natasha Dettman and India Hamilton.

On 13 October, the gallery will open its doors so that the public can hear about the project from the artists. Visitors will also get to admire the work of Graham Bannister and Storm Thorgerson, specially selected to reflect the theme of the Feast. 

Sasha Gibb, Gallery Director, described the feast as taking "the joy and sensory experience of eating to a whole new level."

"I love the work India and Natasha are doing around soil health and biomes and am delighted to be working with 2 such exciting creatives. Personally, I can honestly say that India and Natasha’s food is the most incredible food I have ever tasted," she added.