I think there are fine lines between artistic exploration and dangerous impracticality. So when I read about a group planning to live ’sustainably’ on a barge anchored off docks in New York City, I am a bit skeptical. What do they plan on growing for food? What will they do for fresh water? I’m not encouraged to be optimistic when the project leader is noted for things like:
For her part, Ms. Mattingly didn’t seem too concerned. “I can’t wait to get on board,” she said, noting that she had already boxed up her books and artwork, and although she still has her apartment in Queens for a few more days, is basically living out of three tote bags, which she calls her “mobile office.” (Then again, in an earlier project, the “Wearable Home,” Ms. Mattingly proposed the idea that an all-weather jumpsuit equipped with solar panels and a water purifier might be all the shelter a person needs.)
and later in the article:
Ms. Mattingly has been growing tomatoes and onions on her windowsill (as have other crew members), but they won’t be ripe by next week, and she acknowledged the possibility that the onboard gardens and the eggs laid by the chickens won’t provide enough food to feed four people for five months.
“We worked out a deal with the Union Square Greenmarket, where we’re going to barter for food,” she said. She hadn’t yet figured out what to offer in exchange. But she didn’t seem particularly troubled by that, or by the fact that supplementing the food supply meant that their community wouldn’t actually be self-sustaining.
As for the lack of personal space, she and Ms. Ward seemed equally untroubled.
“I’m not worried at all,” Ms. Ward said. “I mean, the Waterpod has a guest room. I don’t think any New York apartment I’ve lived in has had a guest room.”
I wish them all the best, though I suspect a big ol’ case of Clue would be the best possible barge-warming gift…
What does your vision of the Clue Fairy look like? And what is he or she carrying? Discuss.
I think a Clue Fairy would be needed here too. I would’ve guessed that they were in their 20s, but they seem to be 30.
Maybe if you live in NY you have a different relationship to space than I do. but still. My clue fairy in this case would be carrying a cudgel or the Riverside Chaucer of Shakespeare.
And there are some flying wingbats that seem to find other flying wingbats.
if you ever read book about living the 100 mile diet they decided in FEBRUARY to start like March 1st in Canada. Yeah a clue fairy needed there as well as they practically lived on air for the first few months. And I don’t beleive they had a garden per se.
sometimes I think they do it for theatrics. this is abotu life.. you do it one step at a time, not cold turkey.
a clue fairy in this instance would look like a NY bar bouncer, complete with a set of dumbells to smack them upside the head.