War in the 20th Century historically included government Victory Garden campaigns encouraging citizens to plant vegetables to increase the food supply, support the troops and bolster the nation’s morale. Rebecca Keller‘s organic installation, which was located at the front of the north entrance of the Art Center, revived the historical model of the WWII Victory Garden with a 21st Century edge. All of the plants in the Victory Garden for the New Millennia can be used to provide alternative fuel, such as Switch-grass used to create bio diesel, or can remove contaminates from the soil, like maize, collard greens, and India mustard, which absorb toxins. Utilizing recycled industrial barrels for growing plants, the garden aims to invite further discussion on how and what we consume and at what price.
This project is partially supported by Good Earth Nursery, River Forest, and Jakacki Bag and Barrel, Chicago.
