Dusktime snail chase in Amsterdam Noord
In catching snails which one will cook oneself, one experiences the joy of a hunter who stalks his prey, anticipatory stew, and that of the fisherman casting his line, with a dish of wine, fish and onions before his mind’s eye. — Alain Laubreaux, The Happy Glutton
The snail chase is ON.
Rain is due soon.
So let’s seize the day!
The common garden snail (segrijnslak, Helix aspersa [wiki]) is a delectable delicacy but also a notoriously unwelcome guest in the endive crop.
As part of an exhibition and a meal featuring the molluscan delicacies of Amsterdam North, I am collecting these snails for a giant sidewalk snail farm in the former ABN Amro Bank vitrines on Vijzelstraat in preparation for the Mediamatic ‘Noord’ exhibition which will open Friday, 10 september: www.mediamatic.net/noord
In willing collaboration with the lovely people of the allotment gardens the volkstuin Buitenzorg, the evening will be a chance for snail experts and amateurs alike to convene with one common aim: hunting snails.
We can lure them with beer and wait for them to arrive or by actively looking under flowerpots, logs and stones with a flashlight.
WHERE? Buitenzorg volkstuin, meet outside the gates. A Google map is here: http://bit.ly/9stiSi
WHEN? 19.30 and will last for as long as you want to be there, Wednesday 8 september.
WHO? Everyone keen to hone their molluscan hunting skills. And a malacologist (snail) expert will tell more about the wonderful curiosities of the common garden snail at 19.45.
WHAT TO BRING? Yourself and a flashlight if you have. I will provide beer and containers for the snails.
REWARD: free entrance to the Noord exhibition, and participation at the dinner in early October.