A PROTEST GARDEN(S)
by BO YEAN TENG
The ILVA steel factory in Taranto, established in 1964, has been responsible for causing catastrophic pollution and severe health issues among the city's residents. My chosen site will serve as a testing ground for soil remediation, where residents can learn about growing phytoremediation plants, and subsequently act as guerilla gardeners to start remediating soils in other vacant lands. The ultimate objective is for the 'gardens' to surpass the colossal ILVA factory in Taranto, gradually transforming and supplanting this longstanding symbol of power in the city's landscape. My project involves the construction of a series of timber sheds that cover the contaminated land, preventing further pollution while the residents work on remediating the soil underneath. Phytoremediation plants will be continually harvested to remove heavy metals and toxic substances from the polluted soil. However, the harvested plants will not be wasted, but made into papers for protest purposes and other handcrafted objects for sale to support the protest activities. It is hoped that the plant-based industry resulting from soil remediation would relieve local people from sole reliance on the steel factory for employment. The protest garden(s) will offer a refuge for residents, allowing them to retreat from the polluted environment. This will remind them how life used to be and prompt them to take further action for the betterment of their city.
