From 2011 until 2013 Various Artists explored the theme Agriculture, and more specific the cultivation of corn in the past, present, and future. This project is called Zea Mays is part of his G-ke series of installations about Geopolitics.

 

The production of maize for non-traditional uses, not related to human consumption is a threat for it’s future diversity. Bio-plastics, biofuel, forage, and high fructose corn syrup are all examples of applications that opens the doors for GMO corn.

Recently Mexico, a region at the origin of a huge diversity of maize, accepted the introduction of genetic manipulated corn into their food system. This decision risks to be followed by other countries, including Europe where GMO hasn’t wide spread yet. Longterm research about GMO is insufficient but already proved to be unhealthy for human consumption.

 

Zea Mays reflects upon this possible future of corn in a visual, abstract way. Data, and research of the past, present, and future of maize, and its relation with feeding of an ever growing global population is being translated in various ways (human mathematics, drawings, carpets).