Report of Food for Landscapes: Recipes for Slow Disasters
- Nov 25, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Jan 26
During Design Week South Africa (23–26 October), Food for Landscapes: Recipes for Slow Disasters unfolded in Cape Town. This exhibition served as a vibrant meeting point for thinking, tasting, and discussing how landscapes and people might heal together. The project marks the first South African activation of a long-term, multi-continental initiative by British artist Andrew Merritt. He uses art, food, and ecological research to address “slow disasters”—a term he coined to describe the long-term destruction of landscapes and their bioculture.
The South African component of this project is developed locally, in collaboration with wild food expert Loubie Rusch of the Local WILD Food Hub and the Sustainability Institute in the Lynedoch Valley. This region is part of the Cape Floristic Region, recognised globally as the smallest yet most biodiverse hotspot on the planet. However, due to centuries of colonial land use and development, it is severely degraded. This makes it a critical site to examine the impact of historical injustices on ecology and community.
Over centuries, Indigenous and pastoralist communities have been displaced. Biodiversity has been eroded, and the valley has been transformed by vineyards, infrastructure, and uneven patterns of land ownership. Through this lens, the project asks how historical processes of colonisation, agriculture, and labour have not only damaged ecosystems but also severed local communities from ancestral food knowledge and from the land itself.
The Role of Art in Healing
Art plays a significant role in healing. It can create connections between people and their environments. In this project, art becomes a medium for dialogue about the past and future of our landscapes. By engaging with the community, we can foster a deeper understanding of our shared history and the importance of preserving our ecological heritage.
Artistic expressions can evoke emotions and provoke thought. They can inspire us to reflect on our relationship with nature and the impact of our actions. This project encourages participants to engage with their surroundings, to taste the wild foods that once nourished their ancestors, and to reconnect with the land.
The Importance of Community Engagement
Community engagement is vital to addressing the challenges our landscapes face. By involving local communities in the project, we can ensure that their voices are heard. This collaboration helps to restore ancestral knowledge and practices that have been lost over time. It also empowers communities to take an active role in the healing process.
Through workshops and discussions, participants can share their experiences and insights. This exchange of knowledge fosters a sense of belonging and encourages collective action. Together, we can work towards a more sustainable future, where art and ecology coexist harmoniously.
Looking Forward: A Vision for the Future
As we look ahead, we must consider how to integrate technology into our artistic practices. The use of AI and other innovative tools can enhance our understanding of ecological issues. By embracing these technologies, we can develop ethical, interdisciplinary models that make art more accessible and impactful.
Our goal is to support meaningful projects and artists globally. We strive to foster new conversations in art and social practices. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive and equitable art world, where everyone has the opportunity to participate and contribute.
In conclusion, Food for Landscapes: Recipes for Slow Disasters is more than just an exhibition. It is a call to action. It invites us to reflect on our past, engage with our communities, and envision a future where art and ecology thrive together.
