Free Love Farm

Inspiration. A Creative Retreat, space and place for creative journeys. In the greater vision, studios, accommodation, simplicity, a hub to explore potential of creativity. Providing not-for-profit public meeting spaces with facilities and services to cater for creativity in its various realms while prioritizing respect for the environment and others. Free Love Farm was the first.

Communication. We had been proposing Creative Retreats for some time since launching the Student Club at Massey University, it was on The Field Creative website, and was discussed with people. The idea was out there, yet it had not been pursued actively via media.

  

Collaboration. I was discussing the project with family member whom I had helped a lot working on his property. He had offered earlier for me to stay on the bare block of land with a caravan, some bush and open fields. He gave the thumbs up, with the condition of a maximum of 6 visitors at a time. It was absolutely basic, no power or running no electricity or running water. A perfect opportunity to practice. It ran for six months until the depths of winter made the ground quite soggy and more adequate shelter was sought.

Thanks Uncle! And to the visitors for making it something, and an unforgettable awesome. Katie and Orliaa especially, who often came in and helped with the project at the Uni,  bringing their energy and ideals to advocate for the initiative. Champions of the cause! TY.

  Creation. The space was ideal for camping, very simple, gas cookers, bottled water, picnic tables, hammock, long drops. Without covered studio space, we improvised, recording and mixing music on laptops while batteries lasted, painting and creating outdoors as weather permitted.

Exhibition. Over the summer of 2006 there was much jamming, painting, poetry, philosophical conversation, creative collaboration, etc. Due to number restrictions we could not publicly promote the space yet were often peaked at 6 guests with locals and travelers visiting at no cost, it was our first shot at a Creative Retreat.

Repeat. Learning from this experience was fantastic, it was a very simple arrangement, yet was both practical and enjoyable. The aim of the Creative Retreats is to provide public meeting spaces with facilities and services for creativity, so from here would seek other ideal venues to implement this proposition, the inspiration is here and evolving.

Another possible location was discussed and checked out in NZ, but by then was already heading across the ditch.

In Byron Bay a friend found a possible location, we visited for a couple of weeks but it ended up that the manager of the facility was not the owner. And operating the ideal there would not be commercially viable. Great to explore the opportunity though!