Herbal Teable
2015
Live mint plants, hydroponic growing system, wood, glass, steel barrel. Approximately 34” x 48” x 24”
Tea is often consumed in good company, shared over thoughtful conversation. Both the social aspect of tea drinking and the ephemeral beauty of plant growth are inspirations for this functional hydroponic garden table. Varieties of mint grown inside the table are brewed and shared in a communal act of tea drinking, creating a space for discussion regarding the ecological and social implications of consuming tea. The "Teable" thereby operates not only as a vessel for growing small batches of herbal teas, but is also as a participating platform from which to support lively and critical dialogue. Mint plants have been specifically chosen for their specific qualities of vigorous growth, favorable responses to pruning and harvesting, as well as their medicinal properties when served as tea. By growing and brewing the tea personally, the cycle of industrial production and consumption is interrupted by a more immediate, even intimate form of creation.
