Statement: Agriculture: An Alchemical Treatise is a large on-going conceptual work comprised of several approaches. Other parts of this work describe cultural strategies which mystify our relationship to the technologies of food production. The allure of simple country life” and its cult of authenticity is at lest as old (and as imperialistic) as Virgil. I believe we can reclaim our cities and make urban living sustainable first by acknowledging our rage, our desire to escape the banality and oppression of our lives. Next , by visualizing what home could be like, we plant the seeds of the work we want to do. For me, the seed is a powerful and fertile image for the process of becoming. The water in the “candle” jars is taken from my watershed.
Description of the installation
1994 mixed media, acrylic and ink on paper. The shrine consists of four stepped wooden boxes painted in black and a triptych ( domestic) hardwood frame containing hanging scrolls. the scrolls are Arches cover black. The center scroll, 5’ x 5’, contains an image of a livable city with stars falling into the ground, stars representing fertility. This is surrounded by two other scrolls containing rubber stamp images of ancient cultural and newly created symbols for seeds. Dimensions are 8'H x 13’ L x 5’ W. On the steps of the shrine are arranged bowls with green manure seeds, for building soil fertility and drainage. In front of the shrine are flats containing soil. Viewers are invited to write their wishes and commitments to a sustainable community on black tissue, and “plant” them with vetch seeds in the flats. Viewer participants are also invited to take with them seed packets for planting in the community. The seed flats were later transplanted into a community park. This is dedicated to the community of Seattle Tilth.
The following is the text of the scrolls:
The spirit of community is the breath of our hope. The blessings of rain, wind, warmth and soil are gifts--the finest materials for creation. We are grateful. Let us join together as we commit ourselves to our sacred work: harming none, caring for all.
“The earth sweats germinating power from its very pores.... the soul is the freshness of the flesh, for the body grows and thrives through it just as the earth becomes fruitful through moisture.” [The deity says] “I am the breeze that nurtures all things green. I encourage blossoms to flourish with ripening fruits. I am the rain coming from the dew that causes the grasses to laugh with to joy of life.”
Hildegard von Bingen [11th century abbess, Germany]
Reinhabitory Sketches:
“First Cuts toward Living in a Watershed Commons
“We must begin where we are, at our personal moment of perception. We seek a sense of self-in-place first of all, and a community on a human scale, evolving to a community of creatures.
“Access steps:
“Where do I live? guided initiations are offered to those who seek to know.
“What is my life work? What moves me?
“Access steps mean transformations-tourism to hospitality; urban renewal to landscape renewal;
“...The region’s unique resonance will continue to sound behind whatever celebrations are carried by it, and proclaim itself more clearly than any declarations made about it. Reinhabitants of the place, people who want to maintain a full life for themselves and for the watershed, are shaping human celebrations which respond to that resonance. Celebrations which depend on but can be shared by other species. Lives which can be part of the region proclaiming itself.”
--Frisco Bay Mussels Group
link to image and discussion
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