It all started with a discussion between two good friends about the current situation. This random conversation leads to the question of how to meet one's own food needs. We are also involved in a new hobby of farming, which has grown in popularity over the first two months of this pandemic. How to grow edible plants on a small amount of land at home. Furthermore, there is a growing awareness of how to enhance and extend the value of what is consumed. Processing organic waste into compost and multipurpose cleaning fluid, for example, or using kitchen leftovers for skincare, haircare, and so on.

This project used farming activities as a form of therapy, experimentation, and exploration. Planting as a verb means to sow seeds and watch them grow. Making friends, as social beings, becomes a necessity that keeps us excited to live during these days. Our separation and limited movement space somehow strengthens our bond. Bertanam (planting) and berteman (making friends) are the two artistic methods of working. Bertanam teman Planting friends (bertanam teman) and making friends in farming activities (teman bertanam). The project began from the ground up, with internet research and daily conversations/discussions serving as a learning tool. Any developments, whether successful or not, will be documented with photos and videos. All edible plants will be grown in a low-light environment. The grow box with its LED grow light serves as our working studio. We hope that this project will inspire and encourage people to continue caring for friendship and plants as a form of gratitude for life.

[This series was a collaborative project with Arumdayu, made for Karya Normal Baru - Jogja Biennale]