Ant, Custodian of the Smallest — When Art Meets Responsibility in the Dialogue on Food and Waste | Michela Fabeni's Contemporary Bas-relief
- michelafabeni
- Mar 2
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 10
Continuing the dialogue between contemporary art, culture, and pressing social themes, Michela Fabeni’s work Ant, Custodian of the Smallest has been selected for the “Waste and Disposal” section of an artistic project engaging with food, resources and the cultural value of what we consume and discard.
This initiative stems from the broader artistic framework of Food Seasoned with Art : We are What We Consume, a project developed around the theme of food, nourishment and reflection on eating as a cultural act. The exhibition has been hosted in institutional spaces in Rome and includes multiple thematic phases such as cultivation, nutrition, preservation and waste.
In this context, the Waste and Disposal section engages deeply with how we relate to the products of our consumption, prompting visitors to consider the cultural, ecological, and ethical dimensions of how we use and throw away food and other resources. The initiative is presented as a space for contemplation and conversation, encouraging audiences to rethink their habits and to explore the intersection of art, sustainability and everyday life.
Ant, Custodian of the Smallest is a gold-toned sculptural bas-relief on a 25 cm round canvas that embodies this perspective. The work invites viewers to look beyond what is commonly overlooked, using the figure of the ant as a symbol of mindfulness toward detail, care, and ingenuity. In transforming the seemingly insignificant into a focal point of artistic inquiry, the work encourages reflection on the value of what is small and often neglected — both in nature and in our social systems.
The relationship between food, waste and sustainability is a central issue in cultural and social discourse today, especially in urban contexts like Rome. In the metropolitan area, an estimated 40 % of organic food purchased ends up in the trash, highlighting the urgency of addressing waste and consumption in creative and social ways.
Beyond its environmental impact, the issue of food waste also intersects with topics of equity, resource distribution and community well-being. Artistic initiatives that place these themes at the forefront can help raise awareness and inspire changed habits, connecting aesthetic practice with lived experience and collective responsibility.
Artistic approaches that explore ecology, waste and sustainability are increasingly visible in contemporary culture worldwide, through exhibitions, performances and participatory projects that invite audiences to reconsider their relationship with materiality, consumption and waste. These practices leverage the power of art to reframe everyday gestures — such as eating, sharing and discarding — as meaningful cultural acts that reflect broader systemic dynamics.
With this participation, Michela Fabeni affirms her commitment to developing artistic languages that engage with the critical issues of our time, transforming creative expression into opportunities for collective reflection and cultural dialogue.
Ant, Custodian of the Smallest stands not only as an artwork but as an invitation to look at the everyday with renewed attention, honoring the often-unseen with poetic and intellectual depth.
Every critical engagement and space of visibility is for the artist a meaningful recognition of her creative journey, held with respect and gratitude.
For information, collaborations and private visits: www.michelafabeniart.com michelafabeni@libero.it
Stay tuned by following our social channels @michelafabeniart and our blog: we will provide all the details about the presentation date, inauguration, venue, and schedule of the artwork at the Aranciera di San Sisto, Via di Valle delle Camene 11, Rome.
Michela Fabeni
Artist of the Third Millennium
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