summaery2025: Projects

Langsame Prozesse, tiefe Verbindungen: Fermentation, Dörren und das Erforschen pflanzlicher Potenziale

Project information

submitted by
Mingxin Xu, Leran Tao

Mentors
Professor Gerrit Babtist

Faculty:
Art and Design

Degree programme:
Product Design (Bachelor of Arts (B.A.))

Type of project presentation
Exhibition

Semester
Sommersemester2025

Exhibition Location / Event Location
  • Geschwister-Scholl-Straße 7 - Van-de-Velde-Bau
    (007)

Available during summaery opening hours


Project description

Modern life is a rush: We eat in haste, sleep in haste, spend every day in hurry – constantly seeking the world outside ourselves.

The Chinese character for 'busy' (忙, máng) combines 'heart' (心) on the left and 'lost' (亡) on the right. In this frenzy, we lose ourselves.

Our project harnesses the natural power of plants. Fermenting and drying may seem time-consuming, yet they grant plants longer shelf life, richer flavors, deeper nutrients, and more intense aromas. These processes mirror our own journey: while exploring the outer world, we must remember to turn inward – Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I going?

This is both a journey through plants and a journey within: Where does this vegetable come from? Industrialized mega-farms, shipped from afar? Or local organic soil? Will it be gulped down mindlessly? Or prepared with care, chewed slowly – becoming nourishment not just for the body, but a bridge of connection with loved ones?

"We are what we eat."

Our project is an invitation: Replant your attention – into your hands, into the moment, into shared experiences. For in working with plants, we rediscover ourselves and each other.

Email: mingxin.xu[at]uni-weimar.de