With Local River – a home storage unit for fish and greens, French designer Mathieu Lehanneur has taken the locavore concept to a practical level.
This DIY fish farm cum kitchen garden is based on the principle of aquaponics and involves the exchange and interdependence of two living organisms. The small aquarium is stocked with freshwater fish that feed off a small vegetable patch. The plants extract nutrients and purifies the water for the fish — similar to techniques which are used on farm-raised Tilapia (a food fish from the Far East), with lettuce planted on trays on the pond surfaces.
Local River turns the purely decorative ‘TV aquarium’ into a functional but equally decorative ‘refrigerator aquarium’ where fish and greens can cohabit in a controlled eco system before being eaten.
On show at Artists Space in Manhattan until 21st June 2008.