The Acorn Pig intends to sound out the helplessness in respect to globally practised industrial farming by means of an artistic project.

The approach started after an invitation in Saxony. Artists have been ask for conceptions about culture in the rural environment.

The site of the project is the community of Wülknitz near Großenhain. Here, in a mass production factory, pigs destined to become Tyrolean bacon are fattened. Wülknitz is situated in a highly exploited mono-cultivated land and suffers greatly from an exodus of the population.

How is it that the famous Tyrolean bacon can make its name by means of anonymous pigs from Saxony? If these pigs can be made into Tyrolean bacon, then it should also be possible to produce a speciality of equal quality – the “Saxon acorn ham” – in a setting which is worth living in for both man and animal in compliance with the premises of the Agenda 21.

Pigs enjoy eating acorns. Combining awareness of tradition and innovation it should be possible to link the image of a quality product by means of afforestation with an attractive landscape, which would also counteract rural depopulation.

The project should be developed as an artistic test product, along with a realistic economic strategy. Ideally, a widely spread oak wood surrounding the village of Wülknitz will be planted, and a special breed of pigs fattened on acorns and living under presentable, animal worthy conditions will be established. The ham from these pigs will be cured in a local factory similar to the Tyrolean bacon, and then sold in local restaurants, throughout Germany and also internationally.

The fundamental idea, based on the transdisciplinary cooperation of local and national participants, can be realised in various ways. Parallel to a wide public discussion, the practicality of The Acorn Pig as an agricultural project will be explored. Thus it will be both an agricultural and a cultural experiment.

Artistic realization

The symbol of the project is the silhouette of a pig eating oak leaves which are at the same time stylized wings. This motive will become the emblem for a region with cultural and ecological perspectives for the future. The “acorn mobile”, a tractor with a cart in the form of an acorn, will distribute oak trees as an artistic action in the area and accompany the whole project in its local context.

Extract from the original concept
Insa Winkler