Sacred Texts and Teachings

The following writings echo throughout the Land of Fylesia and provide critical guidance in the pursuit of making for the land, from the land. 

Candide (Voltaire, 1759) - In Voltaire's satirical tale the author concludes that the best thing to do in a world full of hardship is to "cultivate our own garden". Given the current pandemic circumstances Fylesia has lapped up Voltaire's words and allowed them to nourish the fundamental notion as well as the land's operations. Consequently the Land of Fylesia has devoted all its resources and energy towards cultivating a garden.  

The Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency (John Seymour, 1976) - This classic guide to a more sustainable way of life is a vital text in the Land of Fylesia. It covers everything you need to know to live off the land, from growing your own produce to blacksmithing. Since Fylesia's founder has limited knowledge of cultivating the land and growing produce, the text is referred to fervently.  

Guide to Housekeeping for Young Women (Cajsa Warg, 1755) - The Swedish saying 'man tager vad man haver' (you use whatever you have), has been derived from Warg's momentous cookbook. The words inspire and subsequently, Fylesia aims to use local resources to its furthest extent when making from the land. 

Current Operations:

• Cultivating a Garden 

Following the wisdom of Voltaire and John Seymour, the main Fylesian operations are currently focused on cultivating a garden for self sustainable purposes.  

Nonetheless,  there are no grounds fit for private cultivation in the Land of Fylesia. John Seymour advises that "even the smallest space [such as an urban garden] can be productive" by using raised beds or plant pots. However, Fylesia does not possess either of those items. Cajsa Warg's words, "you use what you have", ring strongly throughout the land and bring salvage. The decision is made to make plant pots out of the only vessels available, household waste.

Nevertheless, as time passes, the keen seedlings inevitably outgrow their improvised plant pots. For the cultivation to successfully proceed the plants require bigger pots to meet their expanding needs. A true Fylesian takes on the challenge, turns to the constitution and follows principles: 

- Two - make out of necessity; whether it be practical, philosophical or emotional.  

-Three - Your environment is your partner in crime - explore, respect and learn from her.  

 In pursuit of the appropriate materials the founder ventures out in to the land.

• Sourcing local materials 

The body for the large pots is found at East Finchley Tube Station. At this moment in time, when very few individuals have access to or interest in the material, it becomes a highly abundant and free resource. 

Tools abandoned by previous inhabitants are found near the heart of the land. They are hoped to be useful in the making process.

Unfortunately the search for binders and pigments in the Land of Fylesia proved fruitless. The constitution is turned to for guidance:  

- Four - Be pragmatic when faced with challenges.

In order to obtain the sought after materials, the decision is made to depend on the United Kingdom for the exchange of such goods. 

• Making Pots for the Garden (A Few Selected Examples) 

Snow Peas

On the first day of the country's existence snow peas were enthusiastically planted in toilet rolls. It only took them a mere week to outgrow their make-do vessels. 

As snow peas can have a root depth of up to 60 cm, various forms were developed to allow the roots to grow deep and strong. 

Furthermore, Seymour notes that snow peas "do better if they have sticks to grow up. Any fine branches with some twigs left on them will do for this. If you just can't find pea sticks then use wire netting." Following Seymour's advice, twigs are gathered in Trinity Avenue Green Area for the construction of a growing structure.  

Coriander

Following a desire to use homegrown coriander in the land's curries, plenty of coriander was planted in an egg carton. 

Moreover, the heart of country is a frequently visited place for creative reflection and making. Consequently, the founder finds it important to inject a bit of humour in the space during these trying times. The constitution states that one can "make out of emotional necessity" and subsequently a pot is designed to make the land's citizens smile. Inspiration is taken from the herb itself and the polar reactions it produces. The plant either makes mouths water or grimace in disgust, which the founder finds amusing.

The design is developed to incorporate the tongue to act as drainage for the hanging pot. Consequently, when the plant is watered it looks like the pot is is drooling (maybe the vessel knows what delicious delights its body sustains?).   

My project declares the existence of the Land of Fylesia, a declaration of a dream to live off the land and make with the land. However, the Land of Fylesia has in fact existed for many years before me, I’m merely broadening its territory. I was born and raised in another part of the Land of Fylesia, a land founded by my parents in the 80’s in a little village in Ireland called Feakle as well as another village called Övra Söderby in Sweden. My parents shared but also lived the self-sustainable dream for years. The very same idea which was perpetuated by John Seymour’s ‘The Complete Book of Self-Sufficiency’ and Henry David Thoreau’s ‘Walden’. 

Nevertheless, one ought to question the reasons for why the Land of Fylesia still exists 40 years on. Why is there still a desire to go back to the land when our lives are so convenient? In the face of climate change there is no doubt that an element of environmental concern features significantly in today's world focus. We see plenty of studio potters, art organisations as well as ceramic manufacturers such as Johnson Tiles, Cauldon Ceramics, Miranda Forest and Grizedale Arts, advocating the environmental benefits of using local ceramic materials. However, I believe we turn to the land, for the very same reasons Thoreau, Seymour and my parents did before us. A sense of purpose and escapism is what gave birth to the Land of Fylesia. As already established by Voltaire, the idea of tending to your own needs and not having to rely on other parties in turbulent times feels like the best thing to do. Whether it be the industrialization of the early 1800’s troubling Thoreau, the 1970’s global oil crisis inspiring Seymour to take action, the recession and rising unemployment burdening my parents or our current world health crisis spurring me. For me, a dream of nature, exciting challenges and ultimately the use of daily initiative became salvage when I was forced to quarantine in a miniscule London apartment. It made me find purpose or as fittingly stated by Thoreau “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately.”.