Cabbages: Bridging Art, Community & Environment
The Other House unveils ‘Flora For Thought’, in partnership with VIN + OMI
As London took in the floral festivities surrounding the iconic Chelsea Flower Show and Chelsea in Bloom, The Other House South Kensington partnered with innovative sustainable design duo, VIN + OMI, to do things a little differently. In an exciting display of visual creativity with an underlying sense of playfulness well-known to fans of the celebrated artists, The Other House is delighted to unveil this new installation:
Flora For Thought
The Other House x VIN + OMI
Display dates: 20th May – 9th June
As part of our ongoing partnership ‘The Green Thread’, The Other House has partnered with the Kensington & Chelsea Foundation to use the installation as a platform to raise awareness for key local issues, raised in the foundation’s recent report ‘A Deepening Divide’. In particular, the report considers the borough’s extreme wealth disparity, leading to deep-rooted issues with societal and educational exclusion, shocking levels of poverty and differences in life expectancy that are often overlooked.
The installation, was unveiled on the 20th May and consists of a showstopping ‘floral’ cascade, covering The Other House’s main entrance on Harrington Gardens.
The whole display is made entirely from recycled refuse and, unexpectedly, cabbages. The refuse used, demonstrating the true beauty of sustainability, combines tin cans from The Other House, milk cartons from the Sandringham Estate as part of VIN + OMI’s ongoing relationship with the King, and other recyclable materials from VIN + OMI’s workshop.
The UK-sourced cabbages being used challenge the single-use nature of typical floral displays, whilst highlighting the versatility and beauty of this unassuming flower-esque vegetable. Cabbages, which are both cheap to buy for around £0.80p and highly nutritious (rich in vitamin C, fibre, and vitamin K), are a prime example of how something inexpensive can be used in an elevated way, both in design and in the kitchen. What’s more, the installation is being designed and constructed as part of an education programme with UK students who are learning how to recycle waste materials.
The partnership between The Other House, VIN + OMI and K&C Foundation will span far beyond the installation.
After being displayed, the installation is being deconstructed and re-imagined into small pieces of art, donated to three of the K&C Foundation’s chosen partners along with an educational manifesto from VIN + OMI themselves, underscoring the ability of creativity and art to inspire and educate on important subjects. Any surplus cabbages will also be donated.
The K&C Foundation partners being gifted the floral permanent displays, as well as surplus cabbages and cabbage recipes include:
The Other House and VIN + OMI will continue to work with these chosen charitable organisations to foster education around sustainability and inspire creativity.
Naomi Heaton, Founder of The Other House says, “We’re thrilled to work with VIN + OMI to present ‘Flora For Thought’. This collaboration not only showcases their innovative design but also sparks important conversations about social and environmental responsibility within our own local community in Kensington and Chelsea. We don’t just want to create an installation; we want to cultivate dialogue. From rehoming displays in schools to hosting workshops for local youth, ‘Flora For Thought’ embodies our commitment to fostering eco-conscious creativity and making a positive social impact”
Come and visit The Other House South Kensington and VIN + OMI and embark on a journey of botanical banter and eco-artistry; ‘Flora For Thought’ promises to redefine flower power and inspire blooming futures.
