PORK KANA CAR ROT

My artistic research investigates carrots (Daucus carota subsp. sativus) existence, history, life and the relationship between carrot and humans. As artistic practice I have grown non-selectively bred carrot seeds in my garden lot in Helsinki, Finland. I have developed a method of non-selective breeding as a counter part for selective breeding. Selective breeding is the method of breeding organisms in a way that produces desired organisms that are pleasing to humans, may the reasons be economic reasons (economic organisms) or purely aesthetical (ornamental organisms). Non-selective breeding is a method of not choosing the parent organisms that are allowed to reproduce and produce offspring that has the desired characteristics. PORK KANA project is about letting the organism have its own sex life and self-determination about its offspring and future. In this thesis I will discuss my relationship with the carrot. Also, some relevant carrot and plant research and thinking is discussed. Art and artists related to plants and biology are presented. All this mixes with my own memories of life and the history of carrot life. The thesis also documents some knowledge gathered through different conversations with people working with organisms as a hobby or profession, e.g. vegetable seller, people speaking to plants and amateur gardeners. The possibilities of future of PORK KANA is discussed. Attached to the printed version of the thesis are vials containing the first non-selectively bred PORK KANA carrot seed varieties #001. #002 and #003.