Sharecropper is a micro farming installation happening in New York City, Summer of 2009. Leah Gauthier, Eyebeam's resident, will be stitching together a micro heirloom vegetable and herb farm from various donated growing spaces in all five boroughs of New York City. These include private residences, schools, hospitals, restaurants, corporations, places of worship, community gardens, public gardens, and parks. Working under a traditional sharecropper agreement, rent will be paid with a portion of the harvest, and the balance shared with local soup kitchens.

Leah will be using organic growing methods, planting heirloom vegetables and herbs, and cultivating wild edibles. There will be a series of cooking performances around the city for people to see, smell and taste. This work is Leah's personal journey exploring agricultural plant matter as sculptural material, community building through growing and cooking food, and finding ways of re-incorporating agrarian sensibilities and simplicity back into modern life.

The Call:

Please donate a growing space of any size (minimum 3' x 3') and in any location. A viable space for this project must:

* reside in any of the five boroughs of New York City.
* have at least six hours per day of sun exposure.
* be easily accessible for farming throughout the summer.

What you get for donating:

* play an integral part in a city wide art project.
* receive personal invitations to all Sharecropper related events, such as tasting dinners, artist talks, and community gatherings.
* have a beautiful garden installed as a work of art and maintained for the summer of 2009.
* receive 1/3 of the harvest, and help those less fortunate.
* Leah can help take care of your other plants as well (great for those on vacation).

Email Leah at leah AT leahgauthier DOT com. Sharecropper is currently being developed at Eyebeam.