betterArts Resident Yikui Gu Subverts Patriarchal Institutions With His Work 'Lovers Melt'

"Orgy", mixed media, Yikui Gu

Philadelphia-based artist Yikui Gu has come to the North Country for the betterArts Residency Program held at Better Farm in Redwood.

Yikui, who goes by Coy, has spent his time in Redwood working on drawings that are part of a larger series called "Lovers Melt." In the works, the artist seeks to subvert staunchly patriarchal institutions by "re-contextualizing the charged facial expressions" found there into the erotic. His drawings at the farm have been of screaming soldiers. "I hope the viewer finds these works to be both horrifying and hilarious," Yikui said of his work. 

Yikui has worked since 2011 as an associate professor of art at the College of Southern Maryland. He grew up in Albany, and has degrees from Long Island University and Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. He lives in South Philly, PA.

"Last summer I was awarded a residency at the School of Visual Arts in New York City," Yikui said. "I was given a private studio in Chelsea, Manhattan, met many interesting artists from around the world, received studio visits from the likes of Jerry Saltz, and immersed myself in the arts of NYC. It was an amazing, life-changing experience and I've kept in touch with many people I met while there."

Seeking a change of pace, Yikui chose Redwood because of the nature surrounding it. "I'm excited by how the natural surroundings will inspire me and influence my studio practice, and I look forward to meeting, getting to know, and possibly collaborating with the cohort of artists."

See more of Yikui's work at yikuigu.com. To learn more about the betterArts Residency Program, visit www.betterarts.org.

Former Sustainability Student Jackson Pittman Records Full-Length Album... About Vegetables

Jackson Pittman, a former sustainability student at Better Farm and current full-time farmer at Six Circles Farm in Ithaca, has released a full-length album. And it's all about vegetables:

Jackson dedicated the LP to Six Circles Farm for teaching a young boy how to grow food. Also dedicated to Stylo Clique Chop City Misguided Youth and everyone growing up in the city who dreams of more than concrete. Check the tracks out here -- and tune in to 88.5 FM to hear Jackson's songs on Better Radio!

The artist.

Does Dulse Seaweed Really Taste Like Bacon?

Dulse seaweed: bacon-flavored deliciousness, or grimy sea food?

There's been a lot of hype lately about the nutritionally dense dulse seaweed and claims that it tastes like bacon. As a community of veggie-loving foodies, this piqued our interest so today I challenged some Better Farmers to a taste test.

First, the claims:

• Dulse is a superfood with twice the nutritional value of kale
• "This stuff is pretty amazing,” said chief researcher Chris Langdon. “When you fry it, which I have done, it tastes like bacon, not seaweed. And it’s a pretty strong bacon flavor.” (TIME)
• "Food lovers might no longer have to choose between tastiness and healthiness." (CNN)

The expert panel I brought in for this challenge was comprised of people who know what bacon tastes like—but who also enjoy vegetarian and vegan substitutes. Here are their findings.

RAW, UNCUT FOOTAGE:

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While the seaweed fried up nicely and needs no salting, it just didn't have the flavor to warrant a bacon-substitute claim. And even those who enjoyed the initial taste of the crunchy snack didn't have anything nice to say about the aftertaste.

The results? Stick with the tempeh bacon and save the seaweed for veggie rolls, miso soup and baked into other dishes. Dulse just didn't come close.

Don't cry just yet—here are a bunch of totally amazing resources for delicious, vegan bacon everyone can enjoy:

• Delicious homemade vegan bacon strips over at the Free From Harm blog
• Upton Naturals Seitan Bacon
• Sweet Earth Hickory & Sage Smoked Seitan Bacon
• Smart Bacon Veggie Strips

New Partnership with Jefferson Rehabilitation Center Offers Job-Training at Better Farm

Shawn from JRC works alongside the belles of Better Farm on groundswork Tuesdays and Thursdays.

A new partnership between Better Farm and the Jefferson Rehabilitation Center is offering job training to individuals in order to maximize their potential for job placement in the future.

Founded in Watertown in 1954, the Jefferson Rehabilitation Center (JRC) has provided programs and services to hundreds of children and adults in Jefferson County who are developmentally disabled. Today, JRC is an independent, not-for-profit corporation employing more than 650 staff members and serving more than 1,000 individuals and their families each year. JRC provides a wide range of services designed to enhance the quality of life and maximize the potential of individuals with disabilities through education, vocational opportunities, training, residential services, inclusion and advocacy in a community-based setting. A dedicated staff of medical, educational and therapeutic professionals, and specially trained direct care personnel provide the necessary support and training to the individuals they serve.

The JRC contacted Better Farm last month asking if we had any opportunities available that would provide on-the-job training for a few people who had expressed interest in groundswork, general maintenance, landscaping and other outdoor work. We were absolutely thrilled to offer up a list of ideas, and yesterday our first worker, Shawn, arrived. In a few short hours he'd begun work on a stone wall, raked up wood chips for the garden, landscaped a raised flower bed, and planted almost a dozen apple trees.

This partnership with the JRC will continue at least throughout the summer, with other workers joining Shawn during the season. To learn more about this essential program, click here.