Site-specific installation, Dare-Dare, Centre de diffusion d’art multidisciplinaire de Montréal, Canada, 2007.
Germinated wheat berries grew indoors upon burlap for a period of eleven days to create a living tapestry which was then relocated and installed under the Van Horne viaduct in Mile End, Montreal. It was my intention for the piece to become weathered by environmental conditions, changing from week to week.
This was my first public installation as well as first artistic collaboration with the wind. Once my tapestry was outdoors, I needed to pay close attention as the wind was incredibly strong, and showed no mercy for the care I put into my precious artwork. Within the first twelve hours of installation, the wind broke the wooden tripod, so I had to reinforce it and move it to a new location with the help of some friends, where it leaned for support against the concrete of the overpass. I needed to return every day to see how the wind affected the piece.
In terms of collaborating with natural forces, I chose to work with plants in the beginning stages of life and to follow them through to their demise and decomposition as a way in which to be more physically connected to my work and to the life (and creative) cycle itself. The life of the plants become my own daily routine, in which I participate in their growth. Like gardening, the plants show signs to me of health or non health and I have to treat them accordingly. It is a relationship that evolves over time, and one that grows with understanding. I am interested in this ever changing relationship, depending on what the needs of each day call for.