Painting chocolates, cocoa and commodity values chains

The idea of using the arts to foster creative thinking and innovative problem-solving is one aspect of research in the TCforBE project . FNP has been collaborating with a Cameroonian artist Mekoeuti and project partners University of Dschang in Cameroon, and University of Greenwich in the UK to explore alternative perspectives on how to transform trade in commodities linking global south and Europe, such as cocoa, to be more equitable and have positive biodiversity impacts.

After being in the field with cocoa farmers in the remote forested Dja area of Cameroon, the research team, led by project leader Verina Ingram, went to the UK to share farmers’ photos and artworks. They shared chocolate made from Cameroonian cocoa beans. They also tasted cola nuts and drinks made from fruits, leaves and barks from the agroforestry systems where cocoa is cultivated. Vegan bean-to-bar chocolate maker Coco Caravan made a special batch of chocolate drink from the beans, and the group talked and painted together with chocolate consumers, chocolate makers and artists from Victoria Works Studios to understand their perceptions of the chain of trade that links different economic, social and ecological values of farmers to the values held by cocoa manufacturers and consumers.

"Using art is a different – often easier – way to make explicit and challenge our assumptions and values", says Verina. "It also helps to generate new, visual ideas, and unconventional and alternative (non-written) ways of representing and communicating our research findings. Many of the chocolate lovers had no idea how cocoa was grown, or about the values farmers give to their fields and forests, and the issues they struggle with. The sessions were both a mind opener, a tastebud tickler and eye opener, resulting in visually exciting representations of consumers values and beliefs around chocolate, cocoa, forests and Cameroon."

The exercise in the U.K. was replicated on a much smaller scale in the Gaia ‘plateau’ last week, with participants from Wageningen University. Get a taste of the event in the video at right.