Performance at Regina Farmers' Market highlights human animal relationships
The Regina Farmers’ Market had an atmosphere like no other Saturday morning with folk music blaring from the main stage.
The music was part of an artistic performance by local artist Bill Burns, titled ‘The Salt, the Milk, the Donkey, the Honey, the Folk Singers.’
The performance considered humans relationship to animals and is part of the ongoing series about global trade and food production.
“It's a burden to think of animals and nature and I think of the farm animal as a kind of something between species for us to learn about animals,” said Burns.
In addition to the music, the performance consisted of a parade around Victoria Park with goats, a donkey and a local beekeeper.
The combination of products were then mixed together, including milking a goat and creating some fresh homey from a local beehive, before parading around the park one last time.
The performance was curated by the Dunlop Art Gallery and organizers said there are many benefits to having the performance outside of the gallery.
“It really makes sense to do it in a context like this with the Farmers’ Market and understanding our relationship to food and food production in this context,” said Tomas Jonsson, one of the Dunlop Art Gallery curators.
Beekeeper and artist Jeff Meldrum was also part of the performance. He agreed with Jonsson and said having the art outside can be less intimidating for everyone involved.
“Before I became an artist, I was intimidated by the gallery setting and so this is just a more accessible way to bring arts out to the community,” said Meldrum.
Meldrum supplied the final product in the performance, which was honey. He said bees and humans have a unique relationship.
“I kind of see beekeeping as sort of symbiotic relationship where both the bees and the humans are benefiting,” said Meldrum.
Meldrum added the honey symbolizes how economists can come in many forms.
“The honey comes last and it's part of this sort of the trading and the demonstration,” said Meldrum. “Always kind of showing you how economists can maybe be a bit simpler than they are.”
Many young children were in attendance, which was an encouraging sign for Burns.
“I think we need engagement to be part of the solution to these problems,” he said.
Burns added he hopes people who attended will consider the environment and their relationships to animals.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Woman, 18, killed by co-worker's vehicle on Highway 1 in Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw police say an 18-year-old woman who was at work has died from injuries she sustained in a collision with a vehicle being driven by her co-worker last Thursday.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
MPs to vote on NDP motion calling on Canada to recognize Palestinian statehood
Members of Parliament will vote Monday on a motion from the federal New Democrats, calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine,' among a range of other calls to action in regards to the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict.