How to Meet a Chestnut: Sensing Ecologies

An encounter in the Prospect Park chestnut grove and its environs in which we will combine a guided walk to 'meet' the chestnuts and a talk introducing the Castanea dentata, or 'American' Chestnut, as a figure with which to think about ecological and cultural entanglement within the cosmopolitan forest that is New York City. We will guide participants through these histories through a combination of spoken and embodied methods with chestnuts in different forms to smell, touch, and eat. We will employ a multisensory and somatic approach to encountering the species to propose a critical approach to local ecologies and encourage a multispecies solidarity.

What's Included:

• Guided encounter of the seedling grove
• Guided sensory encounter and cataloguing of the chestnut in various forms
• Assorted chestnut dishes for tasting

What to Bring:

• Notebook and pen
• Comfortable footwear
• Weather-appropriate clothing -- we recommend wearing pants

About the Facilitators:

Michael Cafiero is an ecological landscape designer passionate about connecting people, plants, and place. Confronting a rapidly changing planet, he designs for climate adaptation and ecosystem diversity, fully embracing the complexity of the living world.

Adriana Gallo is an artist, independent researcher, and culinary practitioner living between London and New York. Her practice deals with ecologies of labor, metabolic sublimes, dialectics of conviviality, and speculative production through installation, sculpture, text, workshops, lectures, and meals.

About our Tasting

The foods prepared for this workshop is intended for consumption by individuals who do not have allergies or dietary restrictions related to tree nuts. While we strive to maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and food safety, this product was prepared in a kitchen that may process common allergens, including but not limited to: wheat, dairy, eggs, soy, peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish. If you are pregnant, nursing, immunocompromised, or have any health concerns, consult your physician before consuming handmade or perishable foods. We are not responsible for adverse reactions due to ingredient sensitivities and/or food allergies.

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