Caroline le Méhauté, winner of the Transformative Territories mention of the COAL 2024 Prize, has completed the first phase of her research-creation residency at Parti Poétique within the Transformative Territories programme. From January to April 2024, she began her research, starting with planting and observation, followed by participatory workshops with children.

Step 1: Research, Planting, and Observation

Beginning in January 2024, Caroline le Méhauté conducted research on bio-indicator and phytoremediating plants. A soil quality study was carried out in Zone Sensible, with exchanges between the artist and the chief market gardener.

Between January and April 2024, Caroline le Méhauté and the Parti Poétique team set up a dedicated 35m² plot in Zone Sensible’s fields. This area served as a space for study, observation, practice, and mediation. Bio-indicator plants such as Common Chickweed (Stellaria media), Nettle (Urtica dioica), and Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), as well as phytoremediating plants like Wild Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla), Brown Mustard (Tagetes patula), Forage Radish (Raphanus sativus), and Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis), were planted and monitored for their evolution and soil-healing capacities.

Beyond their properties, Caroline le Méhauté emphasised the importance of plant names, exploring the stories and cultural traditions associated with these species. Plant names serve as a medium to craft and share new narratives about their transformative potential.

Simultaneously, she pursued research on how to repurpose phytoremediating plants after pollutant absorption. At the end of the residency, these plants offer two transformation pathways: producing biogas via a digester or collaborating with ECONICK, a company specialising in heavy metal phytoextraction and industrial revalorisation. A scientific consultation was initiated with ECONICK to evaluate the plants’ potential for their experiments.

Step 2: Participatory Workshops

For the second phase, Caroline le Méhauté and Parti Poétique organised workshops with young participants to engage them in the project. Educational materials were created, and each participant received a sketchbook to use during the workshops.

Workshops conducted:

• Wednesday, 20 March: “How is the Earth? Bio-indicator and Sentinel Plants” in collaboration with the Fée Main Association. Nine children (aged 6–13) and three adults learned about the impact of soil health on food quality and human health.
• Wednesday, 3 April: “Helping Soil Regeneration – Phytoremediating Plants” in collaboration with the Fée Main Association. Ten children (aged 6–13) and five adults participated in a workshop exploring soil and plant capacities. They discovered seeds and plants through sensory activities and drawing. Participants created seed-and-substrate mixes, spreading them in specific areas, contributing to Caroline’s final artwork.

Photo credits: © Parti Poétique – Zone Sensible

Follow the progress of various projects on the Parti Poétique website.