Petals on the Tongue August 8, 2005

This collaborative work was exhibited in 2005-2006 at the Fireplace Gallery in Reno, NV. This marks the first collaborative series with my sister and photographer, Angela Borges (AngelaBorges.com). Throughout 2005, Angela and I established the conceptual basis of the series involving weekly dialogs regarding the chosen subject matter: honey, flora (specifically daisies and roses), and clay. The performance takes place at Nevada mile marker 56 on eastbound interstate 80 in the 40-mile desert. While sitting in an outdoor lounger in loose white attire, I ingest spoonfuls of local honey and blooms of white daisies rotating between them for eighteen minutes. After ingesting all of the honey and daisies, the glass of honey is set beside me and the daisy stems are thrown into the wind and carried into the background. While still sitting, rose petals are thrown into the wind, rolling under and behind me, eventually to be taken, like the daisy stems, by the weather of the desert.

Daisies have long been known to symbolize and pay tribute to friendship and collaboration. Honey is known for its ability to heal wounds. In collaboration, Angela and I highlighted the beauty and vibrant color of the natural world in summer, presenting this vibrancy in the drabness of deep winter. This series was on exhibit throughout December and into January in Reno, Nevada. Reno in the winter is known for lack of color and imminent cold. Our intent for this series is to celebrate the beauty of the natural world and to pay tribute to the healing qualities of the chosen subject matter as we reflect on our place within the natural world.