Climate Science Fair 2023

September 20-23, 2023

Part of The Climate Science Fair on the Highline, NYC

Sky High's installation on the Highline in NYC as part of the Climate Science Fair stemmed from the belief that the pursuit of food sovereignty must be rooted in access, equity, education, intention, and creativity. Using the simplest (and therefore often overlooked) materials - soil and seeds - we spent three full days engaging the public in taking the time to get their hands dirty, find seeds that are meaningful to them, and learn how to foster their growth. This exercise was meant to be a utilitarian one - the more food people can grow for themselves the better; and a thoughtful one - if the materials for our own emancipation are so simple and familiar, what keeps us from harnessing them for our own collective liberation?

Guests to the Sky High booth were met by a mundane but enticing sight - a mound of dirt. They were encouraged to put down their belongings and explore the dirt with their hands; buried inside of the mound were small packets of seeds native to different climates and conditions. Guests sought out a packet that was suitable to their home climate and were provided with instructions for growth and a small cup of high quality soil to get started.