Common Ground

This project, created in partnership with THE NEW INSTITUTE Centre for Environmental Humanities, explores the social and cultural significance of coffee as symbolic a gathering place. When we say “let’s get coffee” or “let’s meet for coffee”, we create an informal space where people can come together to connect. This project aims to document these moments from different perspectives, paying attention to the elements that contribute to their creation: the physical space of the cafe, the time of day, the weather, the people and microorganisms involved.
I was interested in exploring the many different factors that contribute to these moments of connection. By paying attention to the materials associated with coffee, like sugar, milk, and yeast, as well as the invisible elements like bacteria and sound, we can explore the cafe itself as a space of possibility and relationship.

The title, Common Ground, reflects our desire to find connections between people and between human beings and their environment. We hope to create a space where people can come together, share stories, and find common ground.