the movie, is a new documentary about our food - options on where it comes from, how it is processed & our options to it. the saddest part is that i often forget that the 'option' is not readily available to all. some areas only offer food that is grown and processed with gmo's (genetically modified organisms) yep - you're eating something that is not from nature! wonder why the human race continues to become increasingly more sick from some new cancer or untreatable ill? there is also the issue of $. not everyone can eat as much healthy food as they can junk food. and for those that are just scraping by to feed themselves or family - how do we close that loop? and the unhealthy cycle is occurring in neighborhoods where there is poverty (no access and lack of funds for healthy food) but we all deserve to eat healthy. that's what will allen believes in too.
this isn't the only film around like this. See also the future of food, food inc, controlling our food, the list goes on. while each film is different in their own way - each has an underlying message; america's old way of producing food is not sustainable. It reminds me of the book by william mcdonough 'cradle to cradle.' america has produced a food system that is no longer a 'cradle to cradle' system. In fact you can not even call it a system! the system has been broken. remember how i mention we are all connected - we too are organisms.
this isn't anything new. and why am i bringing this up? it's stems from the idea of 'massive change.' another of one of those good books. the individuals highlighted in massive change are those that have made a difference through design (no just objects!) here is an except from their website that will somehow lead me to my point (eventually i do have one - stay with me):
"Massive Change explores paradigm-shifting events, ideas, and people, investigating the capacities and ethical dilemmas of design in manufacturing, transportation, urbanism, warfare, health, living, energy, markets, materials, the image and information. We need to evolve a global society that has the capacity to direct and control the emerging forces in order to achieve the most positive outcome. We must ask ourselves: Now that we can do anything what will we do?"
so...i'm sitting watching FRESH tonight, and thinking, where do i fit in, what can i do to make the circle or connection bigger? there are many things i enjoy changing as to how my husband and i live (i'm a new worm mommy recently! <-- click it, that link will give you even more inspiration from will allen!) however, it really does take a village. it's not just about the individual. this is where i return to my first blog & basis for this blog (i swore i would never be blogging! lesson learned: never swear off anything) : "life is full of little inspirations : celebrate them : celebrate each other" however, now it's going beyond that....
here is the kicker: it really is the 'little' part. it doesn't have to be massive, it doesn't have to be complex. from here on out i'm going to continue to provide my children's photography services but for f r e e to those who need it most (when i'm physically able, read below). there are many organizations that photograph the less fortunate through a 501c3. i however want to return to a way of trade. so maybe it's not entirely free, but you get the idea. in any case, this is going to be a challenge! what a fresh idea:) stay tuned to see how it works!!! (and if you're wondering, no, i haven't thought this through. however, my most successful ideas have always happened in a blink!)
side note: today, i was informed by my physical therapist that i can no longer continue working the way i am if i expect to heal from my broken neck (ie: lifting a camera to my face carrying camera gear) what a way to put a damper in my day (right before i left to shoot for the entire day!) however, as i once told a friend, i think i was born to make lemonade outta lemons. so thus my idea: i want to level my playing ground, become closer to a cycle, change the way of running a business, be more cradle to cradle, and while not massive, be a little change. as this f r e e concept develops and comes to form, i will continue to create the fine art work i'm working on today (an extension of my thesis InsideOut) that debuts in December. this project will help to fund and hopefully with a little help from many, kick start the concept of a f r e e children's photography service. so much more to come! - but for now, an image from my new series InsideOut Chicago 2009. i mean shit - someone could use that currently un-used sink & maybe space - right?!? hmmmm....
ps: t h a n k y o u mindful metropolis for the FRESH screening!
