common is a project by fiona woods, being carried out for #1, work in progress
The concept of 'commons' stems from Roman law. According to the Romans, property or 'things' (objects which may become an active subject of right) were divided by distinct definition. Res Privatae were the things that individuals could own, while Res Publicae defined those things built by municipalities, governing bodies, the State or federal government.
Res Communes literally means 'things common to all' and comprises things that are extra patrimonium (incapable of being possessed) and thus available to all organisms.
Taking the 17th C English Diggers as a starting point, I am exploring the concept of commons relative to land - access to land, the right to reap produce from the land, land as site of production or commodity. I am doing this by looking at projects, actions or events that engage with the marginalisation of those without, or without much land, or that look at the products of the land as a common resource.