CERERE

Responding to the need for knowledge exchange on heritage cereals.

As part of a Horizon 2020 partnership, Deirdre produced a project for Teagasc, Ireland’s Agricultural and Food Development Agency. This included devising stakeholder events, producing three short documentary films, and curating a new artwork from artist Sadhbh Gaston.

Responding to the need for space to exchange knowledge on heritage cereals, Deirdre devised two Mind Meitheal events, one as part of the Tulca Visual Art Festival Syntonic State curated by Linda Shevlin. Held alongside The Domestic Godless’ feast of landrace cereal-based dishes, the event included a specially designed Social Network Analysis (SNA) diagram and pamphlet. Farmers, seed producers, scientists, archaeologists, historians organic growers and seed saving experts gave different perspectives on heritage cereal production.

Sadhbh Gaston’s commissioned work, Grain 1 – 5, was exhibited as part of Tulca and references heritage and forms of knowledge considered obsolete through her use of labour- intensive embroidery techniques. The accompanying text panels told the narrative of the seed’s cultivation and its relevance today, illuminating the importance of heritage cereals in Ireland.

Participants: Kate Carmody (organic farmer), Gerry Clabby (heritage professional), Sadhbh Gaston (artist), Jessica Gleman (archaeologist), Dominic Gryson (farmer), John Hyland (researcher), Jenny Haughton (Artworking Public Art Consultancy), Elaine Leavy (organic advisor), Áine Macken-Walsh (Teagasc), Madeline McKeever (organic seed producer), Michael Miklis (co-founder of Irish Seed Savers), Alistair Murdoch (academic), Anne Mullee (curator), Bridin McIntyre (Teagasc), Noel McAllister (farmer), Mícheál Ó Fathartaigh (agricultural historian), Seamus Sheridan (Sheridan’s Wine and Cheese), Andrew Workman (organic farmer).

A Horizon 2020 Project co-funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union.

Led by Dr Aine Macken-Walsh for Teagasc, the Agriculture and Food Development Authority.

Download Cerere Publication

Download Project Description.