An ode to the carrot, and a roast of the system
Graduation project 2024



        An Ode to the Carrot, and a Roast of the System explores the current food system and the position of young adults within it. This project emerged through interviews with various initiatives, field research among the target audience, visits to exhibitions, and personal experience in vegetable cultivation. It consists of two main components:

An Ode to the Carrot, this installation celebrates the sustainable carrot, a vegetable that thrives year-round in Dutch soil. The diversity of carrots is showcased on a dining table in the center of the room, featuring multiple recipes. Above the table, a sign displays the title and, on the reverse side, a poem highlighting the carrot's sustainable benefits.

A Roast of the System is a publication reflecting my confusion about the current food system. In the supermarket, it is always summer, and endless options of fruits and vegetables from all over the world are collected on the shelves. The supermarket makes it hard to make sustainable choices, due to unknownness, for example, a tomato grown in a Dutch greenhouse could use more energy than pollution from a tomato from Spain. And what are even seasonal vegetables?

        Together, the installation and publication aim to provoke young adults to reflect on the origins of their food and inspire them to make more informed decisions, not only in the supermarket but also in broader contexts like voting and community engagement.   



        On top, around, and above the dining table, carrots took the spotlight. This SUPER seasonal vegetable should be more appreciated! How special and flavorful it is when freshly pulled from the ground. Carrots grow almost year-round in Dutch soil, which makes them ultra-sustainable, and look at how diverse they are in the kitchen! Snap a picture of a recipe that intrigues you and create a meal featuring carrots this week. Oh my, all these carrots! Already curious about what broccoli season will bring?