Mismatched plants that share the same soil, and grow freely in the wild, planted by nature, are commonly referred to as ‘weeds’. Full of vitality, weeds are one of the pillars of nature’s vibrant diversity and provide sustenance for many different living beings.
Zo Lin is an artist-gatherer who, while travelling around the Taiwanese countryside and working in various places in exchange for a night’s accommodation, learned that the sedge—often discarded as a weed—has medicinal properties, and is able to treat the common cold. During her travels, she met an experienced herbalist that taught how and which plants and weeds to forage, and in order to share this acquired knowledge founded ‘Weed Day’ in 2014; each time this occasion is celebrated, Lin holds creative workshops and demonstrates how to make her ‘weed tea’.
Lin is often seen driving through Taiwan, her small truck packed with pots and pans, bricks, and logs she has gathered, pausing to forage local weeds and brew tea using these gifts from nature. The roots of the weeds become pens with which she draws mandalas—cyclical designs that represent the universe—in the earth, and in this way she pays homage to the land.
In recent years, Lin has begun travelling internationally to taste and test the medicinal properties and toxicities of different indigenous plants. Brewing a new tea in each location, utilising the most common and distinctly local weeds, she finds unique flavors and sensory experiences. From picking to preparing the plants, mixing to brewing the tea, the rising aromas and textures are constantly changing—even the process of drinking is one of transformation, as each of the five senses is affected differently as the tea moves from hot to cold.
This year Weed Day takes place at Taipei Biennial through a series of workshops which engage audiences in observing, picking, trimming, tasting and writing about weeds, inviting them to learn more about how weeds are regarded in different cultures, and how their diverse properties can enable us to reconnect with the land.
Zo Lin, born 1985 in Taiwan, lives and works in Taipei.
Weed Day, founded in 2014
zh-tw.facebook.com/weedroot
Crossover Discussion: Weeds╳Herbs╳Indian Spices
Panelists: Zo Lin (picking and gathering artists), Weng Yi-Cheng (second-generation owner of a historical herb shop in Taipei’s Herb Alley), Prasannan AK (Doctor of chemical engineering and an expert on Indian spices)
Date: 2018/12/9
Time: 14:00–16:00
Venue: Ecolab Basement
Weed Picking and Tasting Workshop
Time: 14:00–16:00
Venue: Outdoors and Ecolab Basement
Maximum 20 participants per sessions; open to spectators
01. ‘From Weeds to a Pot of Tea’ Workshop
Guide: Zo Lin
Date: 2018/11/25
Online registration: https://bit.ly/2zLfoIH
02. ‘Weed Bouquet’ Workshop
Guide: Yu Nung Chen, Zo Lin
Date: 2018/12/30
Online registration: https://bit.ly/2QtzwGi
03. ‘Arrangements with Weeds’ Wild Tea Concert
Guide: Yu Nung Chen, Koshu, Lin bao bao, Ying Chih Chen, Zo Lin
Date: 2019/1/13
Online registration: www.taipeibiennial.org/2018
04. ‘Expressions of Weeds’ Wild Tea Concert
Guide: Zo Lin, Koshu, Lin bao bao, Ying Chih Chen, Yu Nung Chen
Date: 2019/1/27
Online registration: www.taipeibiennial.org/2018
