An event for Norfolk & Norwich Festival
Artist Anna Dumitriu, with Chris Ridout* and colleagues Elaine Farrow and Phil Howell and Tom Wood from the John Innes Centre for Plant Research, and artist Caroline Hyde-Brown
The Art and Science of the Faba Bean highlights groundbreaking scientific research exploring the potential of the bean as an improved food source. Alongside this, award winning artist Anna Dumitriu, who is internationally renowned for her specialism in bioscience, has explored the history, culture and science of the faba bean since Antiquity.
Make your bookings via Norfolk & Norwich Festival (see below)
Anna Dumitriu and ‘Uninhibited Faba’
Anna Dumitriu’s work ‘Uninhibited Faba’ (2023), which is on display at GroundWork as part of current exhibitioin Plant Power, takes the form of a series of artworks that explore the history and future of the humble faba bean (Vicia faba) and how it can help us mitigate climate change, improve food security, and fix nitrogen. Faba beans (also known as field beans, fava beans, horse beans or Celtic beans (and the larger variety known as broad beans)) are some of the most ancient crops in cultivation in Europe and as such are surrounded by myths and legends. These myths include the monstrous notions (from antiquity) that they contain the souls of the dead or represent the gates of Hades (the underworld). Other historic prejudices associate them with poverty, and to their resemblance to the male anatomy.
Biotechnological research
Anna Dumitriu has also explored the aesthetic and ethical issues around innovative biotechnological research to improve faba bean crops and enable the so-called ‘protein transition’ from a more meat-based to more plant-based diet that can better support human and animal health.The project looks at aesthetic and ethical issues around innovative biotechnological research to improve faba bean crops and enable the so-called ‘protein transition’ from a meat-based to plant-based diet that can better support human and animal health.
John Innes Centre for Plant Research
Anna has been collaborating with scientific research by Keygene in the Netherlands. However in Norfolk we also benefit from the John Innes Centre for Plant Research. Here they have been researching legumes of various varieties for decades. A team from there will join us to discuss this.
Caroline Hyde-Brown
Also, Caroline Hyde-Brown, a fellow exhibitor in Plant Power, has based her own artistic research there, starting 2019-2021. Alongside another scientific research team, she has been investigating the long history and potential of the grass pea, a neolothic crop. She will join the discussion and talk about some of her own artistic outcomes.
A truly cross-disciplinary discussion across art and science
This will be a very rich and absorbing evnt, and truly cross-disciplinary.
View the work and join in conversation, about the Faba bean and other legumes. Discuss the plant’s history, new genetic research, its potential future as a sustainable food source and the role of art in raising awareness of research.
*Chris Ridout is editor of international peer reviewed journal: Plant Genetic Resources
Bookings via Norfolk & Norwich Festival
Exhibition is normally closed on Tuesdays but will open for viewing from 5.00
Event starts 6 – 8.30
Tickets £15 to include a post-event drink
Priority booking for NNF Supporters and GroundWork NetWork Associates from Tuesday 18 February
Public booking starts from Friday 21 February
