Week 6/JuLy 10-16, 2023
Ariana White
I spent this week fully remote from the Catskill Mountains of Roxbury, NY, working on a middle school agricultural farm focused on sustainability and education. Having graduated in 2018, I worked as their alumni intern and engaged with students, ages 8-13, learning about sustainable agriculture, animal husbandry, and permaculture. When I arrived, the farm was almost the same as it was when I was a kid, with the exception of a large greenhouse at the foot of a hill that housed growing tomato plants and comfortable reading nooks.
It was a great place to conduct research as I worked to create an interactive visual presenting slavery abolition days around the world. Some countries had forms of legislation, in their constitution or in bills passed later on, that distinctly outlawed slavery and similar forms of labor. Much of that legislation was not instated until the 20th century due to years of colonization and oppression.
Comparing almost every single country’s abolition days expanded my knowledge regarding regions of the world and colonial histories. It segued into research I conducted on Zainab Floyd and Caribbean Archive. Our meeting/ interview provided cultural and personal context to Floyd’s passion for Carribean Archive. I learned about Floy’ds journey through learning and historical research that led to her archival work. Her use of academic, art, NYC, and global spaces to acquire experience and research was eye-opening and inspirational as I grappled with the final stages of the drafting process.
Kendall Greene
This week we were back in person, and I was more than excited. I had my own personal conversation with Jenny Lau, and we dove into her practices of organizing, writing, and cooking. I appreciated her reflections that ventured outside of my expectations. She connected the complexities of food and ingredients to her understanding of culture, aging, and being in relationships with others.
In Week Six, we had the opportunity to visit the Guggenheim and enjoy Susan Sze’s exhibition, “Timelapse.” The themes she explored seemed especially relevant to the thesis I hope to pursue next semester. She engages with our understanding of time and blurs the line between digital objects and the material realm. Her piece, “Timekeeper” was the most immersive section, and I was most intrigued by the small projections she had of different time zones and events happening concurrently in the various. “Times Zero,” inspired me to draw on the themes from Ruth Ozeki’s feature on the podcast, “On Looking.” In her podcast, she encourages people to spend deep, complete, and embodied time with a piece of artwork. She challenged how I approach my experience with museums. I encourage you to listen if you are interested in deepening your ability to be present and curious about a little Japanese history.
Maria aguirre
In Brooklyn, tucked away between the bustling streets, exists a classroom that defies convention. This classroom is not adorned with rows of desks or whiteboards, but rather, high-top tables and a great Spanish rock playlist. It was here at La Loncheria that I, accompanied by fellow intern Kendall Greene and Dr. Goffe, was able to experience the richness of experiential knowledge.
Meeting Oscar, the passionate owner of La Loncheria, felt like stepping into a beautiful world of history and gastronomy. As the daughter of parents both well versed in Mexican cuisine (my mom makes the best Mexican food), I admit I can be hard to impress. However, La Loncheria exceeded my expectations with the delicious homey and hearty dishes available. Oscar's conversations delved into the historical narratives behind the world of his eatery. The visit transformed into an immersive lesson on cultural heritage and culinary evolution.
On the topic of Mexican wine, he explained why it commanded a premium far beyond the walls of the eatery. Tracing back to the Spanish Colonization of Mexico, his mini history lesson extended beyond textbooks, encompassing the stories and insights of those who live and breathe their craft. La Loncheria in its unassuming elegance unfolded as a classroom that expanded our culinary and historical knowledge.
