The ‘Edible Archive’ series explores the archival potential of edible materials, employing food as both a tangible, sensory medium and a cultural metaphor for archival practices.

 

Being the second edition of the ‘Edible Archive’ series. The project employed the historically-inspired ship biscuit recipe renowned for their durability. These biscuits served as archival artefacts, collaboratively created with students from the School of Design at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Each biscuit was
imprinted with textures of objects or surfaces from their immediate environment, embodying both personal and collective spatial memories in an edible format.

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The historial ship biscuits

Ship biscuits originated as a durable staple food for sailors during long sea voyages. Historically crafted from flour, water, and salt, these biscuits were twice-baked to remove moisture, ensuring preservation and longevity. Initially consumed aboard ships due to their resistance to spoilage, ship biscuits symbolise resilience and adaptability, qualities resonating with our own ‘ship’—the
Innovation Tower at the School of    Design—as we celebrate shared journeys and collective memories.

 

Showcased at the “Material Narratives” Exhibition, organised by the Material Resource Centre, HK PolyU

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