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The “Eat+Art” do it yourself kit – five interactive artistic experiments

Foundation „Rucka Art Foundation” together with the Donorstate project partner from Norway – „Vitenparken Campus Ås” till November 30, 2023 realize the project „Art+Food+Next Generation.” Second project story:

“The “Eat+Art” Do It Yourself (DIY) art kit featured five interactive artistic experiments created by artists from Norway and Latvia. In October 2023, individual kits were sent to 150 Latvian children and youth aged 10 to 18. It is part of the “Art+Food+Next Generation” project, a collaboration between the Rucka Art Foundation and Science Park Campus Ås in Norway. Together with the final exhibition at the Science Park Campus Ås and the documentary short film “Shaping Futures”, the project has reached more than 700 children and youth.

The “Eat+Art” DIY kit was made to better connect children and youth with a world in deep change. As the letter inside each kit states: “The world keeps changing, and you are a part of it.” The DIY art kit is a call to arms and action. The five art projects were not just about creating art or exploring food science; they were toolkits and gateways for young minds to learn about present crises and actively participate in shaping their own futures.

The kit was made to enable children and youth to contribute to the world’s transformation. It begins with nurturing the ability to dream and conceptualize new, diverse ideas. Art, in its boundless and imaginative essence, serves as a perfect medium for change. It empowers children to imagine and fantasize, breaking free from the confines of conventional thought. Here is a closer look at each project:

• Space Seeds, by the Center for Genomic Gastronomy: The kit included seeds from plants that have been grown in the International Space Station (ISS) and a poster with instructions for planting and growing them back on Earth. Several participants have sent in their first pictures of sprouting plants, while some are anticipating the arrival of spring to become space seed savers.

• Mermaid AI, by Anthropocene Kitchen: Equipped with a recipe of how to use free Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and a block of marzipan, children unleashed their creativity and sculpted edible art with the help of AI. Inspired by AI visualizations, participants realized their sweetest food utopias.

Alien Claw, by Kirsty Kross: The DIY kit included a cut-out poster to create a signal crayfish claw. Participants shared images of their assembled claws, taking on the role of alien creatures, embodying and exploring the concept of invasive species and their impact on ecosystems tangibly and interactively.

• Mushroom Monster Mash, by Annike Flo: This living experiment was popular both among the children and their parents. Each kit provided all the necessary tools to grow oyster mushrooms and, with the help of neon decorations, turn them into colorful and even edible monsters. While many succeeded in growing pink, yellow, and grey oyster mushroom companions, others encountered various challenges in nurturing living art.

Plate 2173, by Alise Kinasta: Included in the kit was also a white plate, paint, brush, and special instructions by the artist. The plate served as a canvas for the children to visualize their own visions of future foodscapes.

Conclusions and reflections

Through the “Eat+Art” kit, children were invited to think creatively and beyond the usual boundaries. Whether it was envisioning new ecosystems while planting space seeds, exploring the synergy of technology and nature in the Mermaid AI project, understanding environmental impacts through the Alien Claw, or imagining future foodscapes on plates, each activity was a step towards fostering innovative thinking and a deeper understanding of the participants’ role in a rapidly changing world. The DIY kits, thus, were more than just an artistic endeavor; they were tools for empowering the next generation to dream big and think critically about their place and influence in the ever-evolving tapestry of our world.

The many images and feedback received paint a vivid picture of the project’s impact, showcasing a blend of successful friendships with living artworks, creative attempts in edible art, and even families bonding over shared activities. The “Eat+Art” DIY kits have brought excitement into these young participants’ homes and provided a valuable experience that transcends conventional educational methods.

Rucka Art Foundation and Science Park Campus Ås thank all who helped bring this project to life and, in particular, all the children and youth who participated in the project activities, including the DIY art kit.

Further insights are featured on the project’s website: www.rucka.next.lv.

The project has been realized with the support of the European Economic Area (EEA) Grants Financial Mechanism funding period 2014. – 2021. program “Local Development, Poverty Reduction, and Cultural Cooperation” open call “Support for the Creation of Professional Art and Cultural Products for Children and Youth.”

The project has demonstrated the power of collaborative imagination in shaping our collective futures.”