Introducing URBANE

Written by curator Allison Palenske

 

In an age of mass production and global supply chains, the cheap and plentiful food supply available in cities in the developed world has made the basic need of feeding ourselves seem inconsequential. Physical isolation of city dwellers from food production is further manifested through a cultural urban detachment that favours globalisation over regionalism, with little awareness amongst urban consumers about how or where their food is produced.

 

Due to recent economic and environmental turbulence, focus has shifted to a re-localisation of food growing within urban communities. The need for shorter supply chains, increased public engagement and a better awareness of where and how food is produced has increased interest in local food advocacy. Community involvement is integral in shifting towards a more localised urban food system, and a variety of approaches exist in seeking the most effective engagement with communities.

 

In exploring modes of community engagement, the creative arts cannot be overlooked as an influencer of social action and cultural values. The arts provoke dialogue, synthesise complicated ideas and inspire creative visions for the future, all of which are valuable assets to community action initiatives. By realising alternative futures through creative intervention or ‘creative illusion’, such as an artist-instigated community garden, the arts are able to assist community members in re-imagining their city and their relationship to food. This creative re-imagining is an approach that can catalyse meaningful community action.

 

Urbane is a collection of creative responses to the relationship between food and cities, including cultural, environmental and cross-disciplinary approaches to this complex issue.