Simplicity 1 • Joshua Michels • 11″ x 14″ stretched canvas in a custom 1.25″ deep plywood frame • 2023
In This Issue: “Echoes and Time and Space” and more
Echoes and Time and Space
by Taylor Reed
Reflections from a zoom call
It’s something you do with others.
One more time. It’s not something you shoulder all on your own.
That message was foundational to the meeting’s focus, but I still had to keep reminding myself.
Scene: “Neighbourliness at the End of Progress,” a four-part Zoom series, session #3.
Topic: “One No, Many Yeses.” Sam Ewell and Dougald Hine in conversation on Ivan Illich’s work and where it fits today.
Not too far into the call I realized I was hearing voices. The echoes sounded like Brad and Amanda’s recently penned admonition. Communities are looking less and less like webs of relationship and more like haphazard and temporary assemblages. This breakdown makes it crucial to focus on more than just the home. That doesn’t negate what I wrote in The Essential Land-Based Project: Why Home Matters Matter — that integrity at the home-scale is the primer for better functioning, resilient communities— but it does add another dimension. And listening to this call, that dimension felt a bit burdensome.
But first, how did Illich and friends get us there?..
The Warp — Ideas and Inspiration
|| 1 || Here’s why I think “One No, Many Yeses” is worth your consideration. It’s full of reminders, and despite where the excerpt written above leaves off, those reminders are life-giving. The talk itself carries qualities of conviviality, impressive for a recording of a virtual gathering. You can put it on while doing dishes. Let what’s helpful and resonates stick, and let the rest wash away. It’s low stakes.
And if you find yourself with more energy, keep an ear out for events, workshops, gatherings and happenings that Crosshatch is behind. There’s a lot in the works, and your presence means a lot. And if you can’t make it, but you still want to keep seeing space created for work, conversation, and learning at the intersection of art, farming, ecology, and economy, please consider donating here.
|| 2 || Garrett Heator, of Trees and Teas Permaculture, recently shared some reflections on the natural world’s resilience despite heavy doses of introduced and disruptive chemicals (some disruption intended, some unintentional.) He linked to a Phys.org write-up on plants developing significant resistance to herbicide, glyphosate specifically. In short, weeds make shifts in order to survive, which threatens human control through herbicide application. This line struck me:
"‘Nature did exactly what we were trying to help people avoid: it adapted,’ said co-author Aaron Hager, professor and faculty Extension specialist in the Department of Crop Sciences and Illinois Extension, part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES) at U. of I.”
That brings me to thoughts of COP28’s current conversations and clashes. It also brings my own choices here in Bellaire to mind. Here’s a relevant note from an email from Colorado’s Groundwork:
“…The words of Christiana Figureres are keeping us inspired (she led the UN Convention on Climate Change that brought us the Paris Agreement). She reminds us that our actions these next 7 years will largely determine the quality of life of our grandchildren. It's not just about urgency though, she says, it's about the way in which we approach the problems: with intention, open hearts, humility, and creativity.”
The Weft — News and Events
We’re heartened by a wide-range of expressions of resilient communities and gatherings. Here’s a smattering of regional events and happenings that reflect that diversity, collected for your consideration. Choose your own adventure!
|| 1 || Winter Solstice Events:
Commongrounds’ Winter Solstice Celebration. Thursday, December 21. 4-8pm. RSVP and find more here.
SEEDS’ Winter Solstice Celebration. Thursday, December 21. 6:30-10:30pm. RSVP and find more information here.
|| 2 || Commongrounds’ Call for Artists is Now Open: Who? Established and emerging contemporary artists in all mediums. Group exhibitions and curatorial proposals are welcomed, as well as solo exhibition proposals. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a cohesive body of work.
Commongrounds is specifically interested in empowering underrepresented artists. We also believe exhibiting a mix of local and national artists contributes to healthy artistic growth and fosters critical dialogue with fresh perspectives for artists and audiences alike. We offer exhibiting artists a stipend based on scope and scale of their body of work. By compensating artists for exhibiting their work, we hope to set a regional standard that values the person behind the art, not just the art itself. Find more details and/or apply here.
|| 3 || Applications are open for the 2024 Food & Farming Microloans.
Supported by Oryana Community Co-op, Grain Train Natural Foods Market, and the Kalkaska Economic Development Corporation, these loans support new and developing food and farming businesses, helping our region’s food system become more vibrant and resilient. These zero-interest loans are available in quantities from $500 to $10,000, and can be utilized for land, livestock, equipment, distribution, marketing, certification, and so much more.
Applications are due on February 7th, and are open to farmers and food producers in Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Manistee, Missaukee, Otsego, and Wexford counties. It is free to apply. More info available here.
|| 4 || MOFFA Organic Intensives: Saturday, January 6th, 2024 at the MSU Campus Plant and Soil Sciences Building (East Lansing, MI.) Three topic areas: Innovative Ecological Farming and Growing, Building a Just and Equitable Seed Community, and Locally Sourced and Manufactured Fibers: An Important Part of Sustainable Living. Find more information and register here.
|| 5 || Happenings at The Alluvion Between Now and the Next Whole Field include: TC Tango Club, Thursday Night Jazz feat Claudia Schmidt, Nancy Stagnitta with Ya-Ju Chuang, Mindful + Musical Kids Class with Miriam Pico, Joel Fluent Greene, Evening Star Trio, Peace Bell, May Erlewine & The Motivations, Big Fun, Adrianne Evans with the Andy Evans Trio, Wintersong with Nic Gareiss, the Charlie Millard Band, and Bob James and family.
Find more information at www.thealluvion.org.
|| 6 || The Traverse City Film Festival began anew on October 3rd. The new iteration of the annual festival features a curated film every Tuesday of the year, along with Q/A sessions with filmmakers, $2 popcorn, and more. Find details here.
sponsored by:
Desmond Liggett Wealth Advisors is a mission-driven, fee-only wealth management company with a simple purpose: to generate exceptional value for the individuals, families, small business owners, and non-profit organizations they serve. Desmond Liggett Wealth Advisors believe in and adhere to triple-bottom-line analysis for portfolio investments, ensuring that they review how a company’s environmental and social values impact its long-term resilience and, consequently, value.
Many thanks to the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the National Endowment for the Arts for their support of this work.
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