Client: General Public

Overview

A site specific, interactive public art installation collaboration with Laurie Lundquist making use of the existing reflecting pool at the Tempe Center for the Arts. Hundreds of recycled bottles were set afloat in the water with labels reading “In Seeds We Trust” at the top and “United Gardens of the World” at the bottom. Seeds were included inside each bottle and distributed to guests opening night. The installation examined water challenges, food production, and seed distribution while inspiring each of us to grow our own food.

Goals

We were cognizant that many people do not think about their food coming from seats let alone the importance of saving seats. We knew that food production and seed distribution in this country is directly tied into a powerful political and economic machine. We want to empower people to think independently of this “machine” and grow their own healthy foods by planting their own seeds.

Process

We were invited to participant in this exhibition called “Green Revolution.” It was a traveling show originating at the Smithsonian in Washington D.C. It address critical environmental issues of our times. The organizers were seeking a regional interpretive perspective. Our approach was to create a performance in the water on opening night to dramatize the importance of water in the Southwest and its role in maintaining biodiversity and balance in our ecosystems. To invite an ongoing conversation about this, we created an “In Seeds We Trust” Facebook page where people can participate in a vibrant discussion with others. Through the run of the exhibition, bottle were available to visitors to take home, read the message in the bottle, and follow the instructions for planting seeds.

Additional Information

With the incorporation of LED lights, we created a magical ambiance to the Reflecting Pool which drew people to the site as they made their way into the museum.