[ISEA2010] Paper: Andrew Gryf Paterson – Herbologies/Foraging Networks

Abstract

The Herbologies / Foraging Networks programme, emerges from the Baltic Sea region, focused in Helsinki (Finland) and Kurzeme region of Latvia, now extends beyond. In a series of events during 2010, it has explored the cultural traditions and knowledge of herbs, edible and medicinal plants, within the contemporary context of online networks, open information-sharing, and biological technologies. Herbologies refers to the different ways of knowing about plants and their extracts (as well as sometimes fungus and bee products), as wild and cultivated food, medicine and related crafts. Foraging Networks raises awareness of organised behaviours and practices in gathering wild food, including micro to macro ecosystems or socio-political levels. Combining with the fields of social/visual arts, craft, cultural heritage, media, network cultures and technology, attention is made to different ways of sharing knowledge, especially within the Baltic Sea region and between different generations. Furthermore, it has also been initiated from the position of ‘not-knowing’, and being an immigrant to a landscape and environmental habitat.

  • Andrew Gryf Paterson (UK/FI) is a Scottish artist-organiser, cultural producer and independent researcher, based in Helsinki, Finland. He works across the fields of media / network / environmental arts and activism, with a participatory practice involving workshops, events, and storytelling.
Full text (PDF) p.  524-526