Artist Jenna Spevack Turns Ordinary Furniture Into Clever Gardens With Her Microfarms

In her upcoming exhibition at New York’s <a href="http://mixedgreens.com" target="_blank">Mixed Greens gallery</a>, artist <a href="http://jennaspevack.com " target="_blank">Jenna Spevack</a><span style="color: #ff0000;"> </span>will adapt ordinary furniture objects to include "microfarms” – edible and nutritious mini-fields of greens cleverly embedded within desks, bookcases, tables, and chairs. “Eight Extraordinary Greens” demonstrates how virtually anyone can grow their own affordable and healthy food in the tiniest of spaces (even <a href="http://inhabitat.com/nyc/5-super-efficient-tiny-new-york-apartments/" target="_blank">New York City apartments</a>), while also encouraging a discussion about the societal value of food as a commodity that is bought and sold – or in this case, exchanged and donated.

The exhibit will include a “farmstand” where visitors make their own determination of the value of the microgreens grown in the gallery and may choose an urban agriculture non-profit to receive their donation.

Visitors may then keep the greens or have them sent to a local food pantry.

Fittingly, project materials have been contributed or bartered from companies such as <a href="http://www.pegasuslighting.com" target="_blank">Pegasus Lighting</a>, <a href="http://www.highmowingseeds.com" target="_blank">High Mowing Seeds</a>, and <a href="http://www.organicmechanicsoil.com/" target="_blank">Organic Mechanics Soil Company</a>.

In keeping with the participatory nature of the project, the Brooklyn artist has a <a href="http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/298414837/eight-extraordinary-greens" target="_blank">Kickstarter campaign</a>, allowing backers to take part in the exhibit or get their own microgreens start-up kit.

 Spevack’s Kickstarter campaign runs through April 1, and the exhibit opens at Mixed Greens (531 West 26th Street) on May 3, on view through June 2, 2012.

A microgreen.