Course Info: HACU-0175

This course will focus on installation and performance in conversation with multiple collective practices and the local ecosystem. The thematic focus of the seminar will critically engage in the question: How can we create a sustainable environment in which to pursue and create artistic, agricultural, ecological, and socio-economic equity? Aware of our daily investments in settler-colonialism, how will we in our practices steward this land with seven generations at the forefront? The key proposition for the semester is: 'Make art and politics from a land-base.' Additionally, we consider: 'If, the land is stolen, broken, rich and beneath our feet -- then, what are our sustainable practices that will meet our collective vision of freedom?' 

Members of Abundance convened within three distinct cohorts to represent the three e's of Sustainability: Equity, Economy, and Environment. Within these cohors, we will draft a mission statement and plans of action through installation to approach the key proposition. In conversation with their peers, readings, practices, and workshops, each cohort developed projects presented once during the Fall Harvest festival at the Farm Center and again at the end of the semester. They also contributed to three community meals. Practices included: Story Circle - from Free Southern Theater and Junebug Productions; Listening Exchange - from Marty Pottinger; Mind Mapping - from Beehive Design Collective; Asset Mapping - from Urban Bush Women and various community action workshops; Deep Listening - from Pauline Oliveros; Farming - many farmers past and present most local : Nancy Hanson and Jason Dragon and synthesize // embody // activate -- a proposal for how to engage readings/viewings from k lynch. At the end of the semester, to document their learning and growth, each member of Abundance contributed to a collective Zine  that is archived in the Hampshire College library Zine collection.

This hands-on, project based course will look at relationships built between artists, activists, agriculturalists, and communities to build a sustainable past, present, and future. We will collaborate with Hampshire's own Farm Center as well as forge lasting relationships with local artists, farmers, community organizers, and environmentalists and research national and international initiatives that meet and inspire our mission and action plan. This course will introduce students to a variety of visual art media and time-based art production. We will also participate in the fall harvest at the Farm Center. This course is ideal for students interested in art, agriculture, collaboration and community engagement and willing to put in a few hours of farm work each week.