Cannibal Forking: An Experiment in Distributed Protocols (2010–2012)

Participants are invited to carve their own cannibal fork using traditional skills and English native woods in a self-conscious act of repetition: repeating the act of creating the myths and objects that embody the myths surrounding so-called cannibal forks.

*NB The making of cannibal forks may or may not predispose a participant towards cannibalism.

Participants are encouraged to pass on the skills and knowledge required to make further cannibal forks. They are also encouraged to contribute to the Museum’s collection of ‘cannibal forks’.

Many participants donated their cannibal forks to the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge. They have been accessioned.

First experiment in distributed protocol, ‘Cannibal Forking’, occurred on 25 September 2010 at ‘The Field’.

Then at the following venues:
Chinese University Hong Kong, 12 November 2010
Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology, University of Cambridge, 29 October 2011
The Project Space, London ‘again : on repetition an informal symposium on repetition in practice’, 28 November 2011
Bodger’s Ball 2012, nr Axminster, Devon, 12 May 2012

photos of the event at Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology are the copyright of
Khadija Carroll

Cannibal forking at University of Cambridge 2011
part of the Festival of Science
Generously supported by ESRC