| DigitalSalad is an edible art project that involves growers, creatives and technology to generate an artful community learning experience through installation with performative aspects and online and gallery exhibition. |
 DS plug + 3 great books on urban farming CLP’s Teensburgh blog by Corey Wittig“There is a farm inside Assemble, Garfield’s newest art gallery. That’s right–through September 30th you can view this creative, engaging, and delicious show called DigitalSalad….” read more |
 Fridays September 16, 23, 30, 4 – 7pm: The charm of a local farmette installed in the urban, neighborhood gallery space AssemblePop-up produce stand: Churchview Farm’s gourmet delicacies and rustic staples. DigitalSalad making workshop: Fresh produce, technology and tasting of course. |
 DigiSalad:Garfield at assemble, a community and art space on Penn avenue, opening Unblurred – September 2nd through the 30th.
Get Involved – contribute images, create a digital salad, get produce, eat… |
 Nice plug from Pop City’s Pop Filter writer Jennifer Baron“Make sure your East End culture jamming includes a stop to the new community-based art and technology space, Assemble, for the opening of DigitalSalad, which combines the 4 C’s of any thriving, 21st-century urban nabe.” |
 April 28th, DigitalSalad was honored as a finalist in the Art + Tech Category of Pittsburgh Technology Council’s DATA Awards. Super rad Cellphone disco won the award. |
 DigitalSalad:NorthSide was a 2 week Mattress Factory Community Art Lab course, that took students from ground to table via seeds, stems and pixels. The course began with a farmer led Gigapan virtual tour of Churchview Farm. Read more…
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| DigitalSalad was piloted by media artist Heather Mallak after being asked by Liz Keller, Mattress Factory’s Director of Education, to be a teaching artist for 2010 Community Art Lab. Many thing contributed to the creation of the project, one was knowing an inspiring farmer. Tara Rockacy of Churchview Farm had rehabilitated her grandparents farm and piloted her CSA program a few years ago in which Heather and her husband Dror were a part of. They also purchased 2 lots next to their house in Lawrenceville and Dror spearheaded rehabilitating it and growing in it. Dror is the Director of Outreach for CREATE Lab who promotes use of GigaPan for community dialogue which helped inspire the idea of a virtual farm tour. An additional connection is Heather’s 91 year old great uncle. He recently moved from the family land where the past generations of had a modest farm space. Heather has spent time between media projects over the past decade assisting her Uncle Stan with gardening and general upkeep. Sharing time between hands on technology and in the dirt was something she wanted to share with others. |
| Artist: The project is coordinated by Heather Mallak seasoned installation artist and digital innovation professional. Heather has been producing and curating shows, performances, exhibits and installations in and around Pittsburgh for more than a decade. Locations include Aliquippa Embraces Art, the Brew House, Future Tenant, the Mattress Factory, Pittsburgh Filmmakers and Space Gallery with collaborators or participants from across North America. In recent years, she has expanded her circle of influence, broadening her sense of community and collaborators. First Night 2010 involved coordinating participation in a performance by costumed babies, children and parents as under water sea creatures.
The first installment of DigitalSalad was within the North Side community with children ages 7 – 13 and involved collaborations with local chef, gardeners, practitioners and visiting artists. Heather Mallak has also been heavily involved in digital learning experiences primarily promoting STEM to girls ages 11 – 17. She has merged her performative and abstract artistic practices, interactive media knowledge and application of science in the every day to construct ideas for enrichment on multiple levels. Heather is the HM of DYHM Creative |
| Farmer: Tara Rocakacy is the owner and operator of local farmette Churchview Farm. more soon…. |
| Chef: Kate Romane’s first restaurant E2 in Highland Park. Offering rustic Mediterranean fare, the menu is small but ever changing and features local produce and locally produced goods whenever possible. |
| Space: assemble, a new venue in the Penn Ave Arts District, is a place where one can engage their intrigue through hands on activities about art and technology. Physical and nonphysical social and creative connections are fostered through film screenings, happenings, workshops, lectures, and community activities. assemble will activate the community with the contributions and presence of the audience and makers. With specific times for young and old makers alike, learning or making does not have to end when the work or school bell rings, it can become integrated into every aspect of life and time in the day. Founded on the concepts of sustainability, community, science, architecture, new media, and lowtech/hightech art, assemble will be a place for CREATION! |
