In-Progress Video
Completed Installation (Night)
Completed Installation (Daylight)
Tuesday, December 26, 2017
Tuesday, April 26, 2016
Site Specific/Vegetation-Artist Statement/Research
Research
1 http://www.spiritofhealthkc.com/portfolio/chia-seeds-super-food-of-the-future/
Chia, is familiar to most of us as a seed used for the novelty of the Chia PetT, clay animals with sprouted Chia seeds covering their bodies. Little is known, however, of the seeds tremendous nutritional value and medicinal properties. For centuries this tiny little seed was used as a staple food by the Indians of the south west and Mexico. Known as the running food, its use as a high energy endurance food has been recorded as far back as the ancient Aztecs. It was said the Aztec warriors subsisted on the Chia seed during the conquests. The Indians of the south west would eat as little as a teaspoon full when going on a 24hr. forced march. Indians running form the Colorado River to the California coast to trade turquoise for seashells would only bring the Chia seed for their nourishment.
Alice Flaherty, one of the most renowned neuroscientists researching creativity has an answer for us. Another ingredient, that’s very important for us to be creative is dopamine: The more dopamine that is released, the more creative we are, she says:
“People vary in terms of their level of creative drive according to the activity of the dopamine pathways of the limbic system.”
We live in a world that is highly growth oriented. Everyone wants to grow socially, professionally and personally. But while all of us have our fair share of strengths and weaknesses, very few of us really recognize the pathway personal growth by self-reflection and self-awareness. And without personal growth it is almost impossible to grow professionally and socially. Thus it is important to start growing every day and becoming a better version of self before pursuing higher purposes outside.
To make personal growth happen every day, self-reflection is essential. Our fast-paced lifestyle and incorrect prioritization often disables our sense of self-awareness. Not only do we ignore every opportunity of self-reflection, we also tend to ignore any constructive criticism that comes our way. As a result we stop growing to our full potential and rarely ever reach the level of self-actualization. So why not to pursue self-reflection consciously and become more aware of self? Don’t hold back from spending some time with yourself and getting in touch with your true nature every day. It would be the best use of your time and help you grow to your full potential.
1 http://www.spiritofhealthkc.com/portfolio/chia-seeds-super-food-of-the-future/
Chia, is familiar to most of us as a seed used for the novelty of the Chia PetT, clay animals with sprouted Chia seeds covering their bodies. Little is known, however, of the seeds tremendous nutritional value and medicinal properties. For centuries this tiny little seed was used as a staple food by the Indians of the south west and Mexico. Known as the running food, its use as a high energy endurance food has been recorded as far back as the ancient Aztecs. It was said the Aztec warriors subsisted on the Chia seed during the conquests. The Indians of the south west would eat as little as a teaspoon full when going on a 24hr. forced march. Indians running form the Colorado River to the California coast to trade turquoise for seashells would only bring the Chia seed for their nourishment.
If you try missing a spoonful of Chia in a glass of water and leaving it for approximately 30 minutes or so, when you return the glass will appear to contain not seeds or water, but an almost solid gelatin. This gel-forming reaction is due to the soluble fiber in the Chia. Research believe this same gel-forming phenomenon takes place in the stomach when food containing these gummy fibers, known as mucilages, are eaten. The gel that is formed in the stomach creates a physical barrier between carbohydrates and the digestive enzymes that break them down, thus slowing the conversion of carbohydrates into sugar.One of the exceptional qualities of the Chia Seed is its hydrophilic properties, having the ability to absorb more than 12 times its weigh in water. Its ability to hold on to water offers the ability to prolong hydration. Fluids and electrolytes provide the environment that supports the life of all the body’s cells. Their concentration and composition are regulated to remain as constant as possible. With Chia Seeds, you retain moisture, regulate more efficiently, the bodies absorption of nutrients and body fluids. Because there is a greater efficiency in the utilization of body fluids, the electrolyte balance is maintained.
2 https://blog.bufferapp.com/why-we-have-our-best-ideas-in-the-shower-the-science-of-creativity
The fact that free-style rapping shows us a high level of creativity, still doesn’t explain why great ideas happen in the shower.Alice Flaherty, one of the most renowned neuroscientists researching creativity has an answer for us. Another ingredient, that’s very important for us to be creative is dopamine: The more dopamine that is released, the more creative we are, she says:
“People vary in terms of their level of creative drive according to the activity of the dopamine pathways of the limbic system.”
Especially if you have thought long and hard all day about a problem, jumping into the shower can turn into what scientist call the “incubation period” for your ideas. The subconscious mind has been working extremely hard to solve the problems you face and now that you let your mind wander, it can surface and plant those ideas into your conscious mind.
3 http://omihub.com/blog/why-self-reflection-is-essential-to-personal-growth/
To make personal growth happen every day, self-reflection is essential. Our fast-paced lifestyle and incorrect prioritization often disables our sense of self-awareness. Not only do we ignore every opportunity of self-reflection, we also tend to ignore any constructive criticism that comes our way. As a result we stop growing to our full potential and rarely ever reach the level of self-actualization. So why not to pursue self-reflection consciously and become more aware of self? Don’t hold back from spending some time with yourself and getting in touch with your true nature every day. It would be the best use of your time and help you grow to your full potential.
Artist Statement
This performance I wanted to focus on self-reflection and enlightenment. I think many people can relate to bathing at the end of the day as a quiet time to think and be alone with your thoughts. Of course, most people are nude when they bathe, but I also think nudity worked artistically because nakedness is also equated with truth, like the common saying 'the naked truth'. I chose chia seeds not only because I think there an important health food, but also because of the effect they have in water. Chia seeds mixed with water create a gel like consistency that is often used to replace egg or gelatin in vegan/vegetarian recipes. I wanted the water to change. Chia seeds absorb twelve times their weight in water and this sparked my curiosity. Chia seeds are also seeds and I thought a seed would be a literal representation of growth. Self-reflection and reflection in general is essential for growth. Seeds are the primary ingredient for a plant to grow, the other two ingredients are water and light. The song I chose is Water Me by FKA Twigs. Though it is primarily a love song, I thought it suited this project because the lyrics address personal growth.
Site Specific/To Have and To Hold-Artist Statement/Research
Artist Statement
I was inspired by the historical photos in the St. Augustine
Research Library's collection.
I was especially attracted to a photos of a little boy, barefoot
mid-strum, singing out loud. The little boy looked so natural but theatrical at
the same time. There were no strings on the instrument which alluded to the theatrics. I was interested in the staging
of a joyful moment.
The only information that appeared on the photos was a small
blurb at the bottom that said "Way down upon the Suwabbee River". I
interpreted this writing to refer to the Suwanee river.
Another photo that I found depicted two young girls in dresses.
The bottom hem of their dresses are clipped to their wrists. This image
reminded me of wings.
The last photograph that inspired me was an image that I
interpret to be based off the cherub detail in Sistine Madonna painted by
Raphael.
All these elements; the fairy and cherub like imagery, the
musical instruments, and the river, all came together and inspired me to make
miniature instruments out of mossy twigs, human hair painted to look like gold
wire, and other little natural found things including baby teeth. Coming from a large, hairy, and musical family, my childhood memories are often intertwined with music. These photos resonated with me on that level. The teeth signify childhood. Hair is spiritual to me and making it into gold wire was a way for me to highlight it.
Monday, April 25, 2016
What Was Left Behind/Cake Knife (2.0)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EwaIf83KJs
Artist Statement
In this performance I wanted to communicate my experience with domestic violence. I tried to go in a different direction with this and base the performance around cooking. I chose baking because its especially seen as something that women are responsible for. In the first performance I chose ingredients of cake to reference women being objectified and the slang terms used to describe women (cake, pound cake) and so I carried that over to this one and baked strawberry cupcakes from scratch with a recipe from a book.
The eggshells on the ground were to literally translate the saying "walking on eggshells". Its a feeling that is often used to describe what its like to be in a toxic or abusive relationship.
The knives suspended from the ceiling were used to represent the casual, household nature of domestic violence. There especially important to me because of my personal experience with them.
The house dress or night gown I wore was my great grandmothers. I chose it because of its old fashioned and modest nature. I know in my experience I was restricted from wearing certain clothing, especially short dresses, low cut tops or even heels. I believe that mindset is incredibly out-dated but it is still a present day issue that many people believe is typical behavior in relationships. I remember asking friends and relatives about it and it was often dismissed or made out to be a "pick your battles" type of situation.
The music I chose was Food and Creative Love by Rusted Root. The lyrics were relevant to this topic because they are about violence, food, and love.
All of these elements were used to create the feeling of trying to complete a simple task, for example baking cupcakes while being hindered by a frumpy nightgown, bare feet on eggshells, and kitchen knives haunting you. I felt when I was in a violent relationship trying to complete simple tasks like homework, cooking a meal, going to work, or often sleeping, were incredibly difficult. The reason I cleaned everything up (but didn't show the cleaning up or film it) and took the cupcakes out of the oven when they were already frosted and decorated is because the situation is so embarrassing and humiliating that I felt the need to cover it up, disguise it, clean it up, and carry on with my responsibilities silently.
Artist Statement
In this performance I wanted to communicate my experience with domestic violence. I tried to go in a different direction with this and base the performance around cooking. I chose baking because its especially seen as something that women are responsible for. In the first performance I chose ingredients of cake to reference women being objectified and the slang terms used to describe women (cake, pound cake) and so I carried that over to this one and baked strawberry cupcakes from scratch with a recipe from a book.
The eggshells on the ground were to literally translate the saying "walking on eggshells". Its a feeling that is often used to describe what its like to be in a toxic or abusive relationship.
The knives suspended from the ceiling were used to represent the casual, household nature of domestic violence. There especially important to me because of my personal experience with them.
The house dress or night gown I wore was my great grandmothers. I chose it because of its old fashioned and modest nature. I know in my experience I was restricted from wearing certain clothing, especially short dresses, low cut tops or even heels. I believe that mindset is incredibly out-dated but it is still a present day issue that many people believe is typical behavior in relationships. I remember asking friends and relatives about it and it was often dismissed or made out to be a "pick your battles" type of situation.
The music I chose was Food and Creative Love by Rusted Root. The lyrics were relevant to this topic because they are about violence, food, and love.
All of these elements were used to create the feeling of trying to complete a simple task, for example baking cupcakes while being hindered by a frumpy nightgown, bare feet on eggshells, and kitchen knives haunting you. I felt when I was in a violent relationship trying to complete simple tasks like homework, cooking a meal, going to work, or often sleeping, were incredibly difficult. The reason I cleaned everything up (but didn't show the cleaning up or film it) and took the cupcakes out of the oven when they were already frosted and decorated is because the situation is so embarrassing and humiliating that I felt the need to cover it up, disguise it, clean it up, and carry on with my responsibilities silently.
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