This year, I spent the first weeks of spring together with collective Artimuse (instagram.com/collectifartimuse) in Roubaix, France, where we worked on the start of a collaborative sculpture project on human connection and urban farming (funded by the European Union and the Goethe-Institut).

According to a report from 2021 by CCAS, 5.000 to 15.000 people per 100.000 citizens are potentially affected by occasional or structural food insecurity in France; with a poverty rate of 46% and thereby claimed the poorest city of France (following the report of l'Observatoire des inégalités of December 3, 2024) Roubaix is expected to have a large part of the population living in food insecurity.

Several initiatives in Roubaix are already active in providing affordable and healthy food to the public. One of them is El’ Cagette (elcagette-roubaix.org), a non-profit organisation which aims to facilitate access to quality (organically sourced and local, seasonal) products for all, bringing people together by doing so. They own a shop and a canteen, where they AO organise workshops on growing produce and offer donation-based meals in a social set-up.
We decided to partner with El’ Cagette for at least the initial phase of our project. Firstly, for the opportunity it gives us to exchange knowledge and experience needed to evolve the project; Secondly, for a successful integration in the already existing social structures of the city, from a wish for mutual empowerment.

After a first week of research and open discussion with visitors and volunteers at El’ Cagette, we created a draft model for a sculpture group. It contains four structures: three of them share the intention to facilitate the growing of edible plants— one of them could be used as an oven. They can be adjusted for placement on non-organic material, which makes them suitable to any urban space.

Sculpture 1: ∼410x250cm (øxh). A living sculpture built with recycled wood from fruit and vegetable boxes, lined with wool (here crocheted). An outside structure in case of a concrete foundation provides an organic base for climbing plants. The inside space could be used as a place of rest, sharing meals and conversation for up to 3 people.

Sculpture 2: ∼230x460x250cm (øxw-quarterspherexh). Built with roots and soil. The outside steps can function as a base for growing herbs and (edible) flowers. A hole in the ceiling enables the collecting of rain water in a basin lined with a mirror mosaic. The expected humidity would provide options for growing mushrooms and water-purifying plants. A hanging plant would ideally cover the entrance opening, adding to a sense of intimacy, while also limiting light and helping to regulate the climate inside.

Sculpture 3: ∼130x80x200cm (lxwxh, excl. handle), wheels: ø80cm. Inspired by the shape of a stroller, this sculpture on wheels allows you to nurture your growing babies in the most sunny spot of the day. Designed to function as a greenhouse. The life-size version would have windows opening on both sides starting from 100cm height, giving full access to the interior.

Sculpture 4: ∼xˉ100x300cm (øxh The largest sculpture, symbolising fire. It is entirely made out of clay and decorated with porcelain mosaic. Ideally, this sculpture would be used for the cooking of a shared meal after a harvest.

All sculptures would be built from recycled materials and in collaboration with local people. People unable to engage in physical activity needed for construction tasks could participate otherwise, f.e. by knitting parts of the inside of the first sculpture. Upon completion, the collaborating partner organisation (f.e. El’ Cagette) would function as a gathering point for locals to collectively seed and maintain the site, sharing the experience of collective growth through mutual learning and activism (illustrated here by drawings). We will provide a recommendation for the organising of a volunteer-led community, but our intention is to only provide and maintain an aesthetically inviting structure for human connection with urban farming possibilities.

Right now, we continue our research in the realisation of this project and explore possibilities for locations and funding. If you would like to stay informed about the process, just send us a short message through my contact form and we’ll add you to our newsletter mailing list (sending ±4 times a year).



This work was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union.