Fish.taco.ponic is a mobile, living art installation growing many of the ingredients to make fish tacos. By showing one instance of a symbiotic relationship found in nature that is beneficial to fish and plants, fish.taco.ponic explores a sustainable alternative for local food production in desert climates where water is scarce, but it also raises awareness about how food is produced and processed before reaching the table.

 Fish.taco.ponic.I took place on June, 2011 at Glasbox in downtown El Paso. With a minimum, but wide variety of ingredients, avid cook, Robert Ardovino and Christine Foerster served up a "fresh" take on fish tacos.  

Fish.taco.ponic.II was integrated into the art and science curriculum of La Fe Preparatory School in Segundo Barrio, where during fall, 2011, the fifth graders raised and cared for the fish and plants. 

For the opening night reception of Fish.taco.ponic.III, Robert Ardovino and a group of the La Fe Preparatory School fifth graders harvested 14 tilapia and prepared mini fish tacos for tasting at the UTEP Faculty Biennial at the Rubin Center.

Fish.taco.ponic was made possible by an Idea Fund Grant and an Artist Incubator grant from the Museum and Cultural Affairs Department of El Paso. Special thanks to: Robert Ardovino and Ardovino's Desert Crossing, La Fe Preparatory School, Damon Seawright, Sasha Pimentel, DIY Aquaponics Forum, Dean and Marisela Bannon, José de Piérola, Juan Ferret, Eric Pearson, and Norma Ojeda.