Michael Rakowitz's Living Garden for Refugees at Baltic

Michael Rakowitz has created 'The Waiting Gardens of the North' at Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art in Gateshead, England, a living installation for refugees and asylum seekers. The garden is anchored by a replica of an Assyrian stone relief from the British Museum, depicting gardens in Nineveh, Iraq. Plants like olive trees, date palms, and chillies were selected by refugees from Sri Lanka, Ukraine, and elsewhere. The space includes spice-grinding, cooking, and tea-drying stations for workshops and meals. Sculptures made from food packaging by community members will decompose into the garden. The exhibition runs until 26 May 2024 and is part of Baltic's status as the first Gallery of Sanctuary in northeast England, collaborating with local organizations like the Comfrey Project and West End Refugee Service. Rakowitz emphasizes the garden as a social space where refugees can plant, cook, and share food, fostering connections and belonging.