Grounded Gatherings
May 2025—ongoing
Grounded Gatherings is a multidisciplinary and collaborative project between artist/designer Alejandra Alarcón and interior architect Sandra Mirka.
Between Helsinki and Tallinn
This multidisciplinary project is an attempt to cook with the landscapes, considering what surrounds us—water, plants, trees, flowers, seeds, and fruits—learning through embodied knowledge as we create a series of non-formal gatherings. We are interested in how through the acts of foraging, cooking, eating, and digesting together, we can maintain and build long-lasting relationships with humans and more-than-humans.
𓇢𓆸 July Gathering #1 in Mustikkamaa, Helsinki
A foraging walk and shared meal exploring local plant ecologies, seasonal flavors, and collective gathering.
During this event, we planned a small menu that incorporates edible foods from spring—already gathered and preserved—and summer—foraged on site. We explored the in-between spaces around Mustikkamaa island, noticing and identifying edible herbs and wild foods. Afterwards, we gathered around our mobile kitchen artifacts to prepare a small meal. We ate together, taking time to digest and reflect on the gathering over dessert.
Photos by Radul Radulovic.
Mobile kitchen artefacts made from upcycled wood and wood based materials. Second hand boxes and cooler.Walking and gathering in Mustikkamaa.We made a foraged greens salad, and wild chives cream cheese dip. We brought nettle pesto and ground ivy focaccia that we prepped beforehand.Washing everything we gathered.Separating everything we gathered by plant species. We gathered yarrow, red clover, fireweed flowers, white-dead nettle, ground elder, sorrel, wild strawberries, pineapple mayweed, and wild chives.Prepping and cooking together.Dessert was a combination of foraged wild strawberries, japanese rose petals, and pineapple mayweed leaves together with vegan meringues, meadowsweet infused whipped cream and a strawberry-spruce sauce.