Programme

Compostella / Open Akker, Futurefarmers (BE/US)

Open Akker was at a turning point in its history and invited us to contribute.

The word Akker means ploughed land on which crops are grown. After two years of cultivating ancient cereals, first with a tractor, then with horses and finally with hand tools, it became clear that the soil was 'too poor' to continue production.

On the occasion of Feral, Open Akker sought to enter into a gentler and more intimate relationship with the site, focused on healing the soil. Compost has its place in this new story.

In the context of Feral, Open Akker therefore proposed a Compostella - a series of movements and actions:

A walk

A fertilisation with compost on the ground

A moment to reflect/affirm the intention of our presence there

A moment to consult with our cohabitants (visible and non-visible neighbours)

A moment to reflect on the name of the project,

To find a new meaning for the word Akker or

To scramble the letters to form a new name

Or use our voice to call it.

Open Akker was created in 2019 as part of Bruegel's Eye: Reconstructing the Landscape, an outdoor exhibition inviting artists and designers to look at the landscape through the eyes of Pieter Bruegel the Elder. Open Akker was initiated by Futurefarmers as a sustainable public artwork that allows for a slow and reflective process of repair, resilience and reflection on our land use habits. With Amy Franceschini, Bram Van Cauwenberghe, Madeline Olmer and Francesca Saraullo. In partnership with ARBA (Académie Royale des Beaux-Arts) - Urban design and Alice Finichiu.

www.futurefarmers.com/openakker/