ART & DESIGN

Sept 23: The Art of Farming

It was only a matter of time before Brandywine tomatoes were given the same paddle-and-podium treatment as Richard Prince.

by Oliver Strand

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It was only a matter of time before Brandywine tomatoes were given the same paddle-and-podium treatment as Richard Prince. On September 23 Sotheby’s will hold “The Art of Farming,” a live auction featuring produce grown from heirloom seeds on 40 of the most progressive farms in the Northeast, including Beekman 1802 and Consider Bardwell. Not that Sotheby’s is exploiting the emerging food market. In fact, this auction is for charity—meals, farm visits, and other events will also be auctioned—and proceeds will benefit Sylvia Center at Katchkie Farm, an education outreach program, and GrowNYC’s New Farmer Development Project, which helps immigrants establish farms in New York State. That same day Sotheby’s will host a series of discussions on sustainability and food culture, followed by a multicourse meal with culinary contributions from, among others, Jean-Georges Vongerichten and Dominique Ansel, pastry chef at Daniel. It seems the best way to save good food is simply to eat it.

Tomatoes: Courtesy of Seed Savers Exchange