Under the Palm Tree 2-28-12

The way of the palm trees. They are form Sonora. They are not native to Baja California.
A ubiquitous jinx of palm trees, of which people may or may not have strong or personal feelings about.
But there was a fungus, and people debated if they should cut the infected down, and replant them.
Eucalyptus is also non-native. Planted to be used for railroad ties, they split during the curing process, rendering them useless.
Exoticism. Realtors. These trees were meant as an invitation, but they don't invite to the origin. They have come to represent a thing they are not.

This is enjoyable. A schlep to get down here, but super productive. Intellectually. Everyone here has interesting ways of interfacing with ideas. Popping off with things we do on our own, and this is temporary. But to anchor our discussion around...like the palm tree. This has a functional quality.

Militarism. Environmental. Mexican border. Exoticism.

Gives us a maypole to dance around. Let's all go around it. What have we been thinking? About the object..? Let's each throw something out there.

Move from slightly more open to slightly more anchored.

::Read Jordan's Email::

Let's do it anyway. Let's make the best possible outcome.
Second proposal? Why convince?

Solidify it. Not interested in convincing.

Keep our ear to the wall.

The solicitation on our part has been made towards the collaboration.

If you form a circle and look out, you can only see yourself. If you form a circle and look in, then you can see what others are doing.

What would it take for us to be extremely present, int he time we have to be present with each other. Let's form the circle, and bring knowledge to the space.

Linking vs. diffusion.

We're good with our trajectory.

There is disappointment.

But there is practicality in their method. It is fine to take and add to your own.

But let them come to us.

There could've been something. Like anything could happen. Completely different conversations.

Every flower has to solicit its pollination. Not a closing. A positive opening that continues to be present.

Frustration.

Come up with something we can all respond to...a centralizing metaphor.

Axis and circles. And where the circles overlap is where the project will occur.

When you move further out on an axis, won't necessarily intersect.

Follow an outline.

We will make constraints.

What did we bring?

Bring our language a little closer together.

Constraint Bullet Points:
- Everyone one will bring an object to the space. There is no limit on type or amount.
-We can interact with the objects out side of the space.
-Utilize an online calendar to collaborate with peers during the time available (Mar. 2-17)
-Objects submitted should be available for alteration, if not explicitly noted otherwise.
-Objects can leave for at time, but must returned before the last two days (Mar 15)

Solicitation of Rachel's Mags

OBJECTS

Film with Projector

3 Magazines

Addidas product tag

Large black boots

Light bulb with yellow straw, Speed vaporizer

4 shower caps

4 glass vials, with stoppers

Inflated ballon

red bandana

black fist pick

Miserable IWngs DVD, 2011

CD Is it my body? 1971

Plushie cold turkey leg

"Brick", covered in shrink wrap and duct tape,

Metallic ballons

An essay by Owen Driggs "Visible Progress" short stories of billboards and LA, photograph of the arrival of the Washingtonia Robusta at the Southern Pacific Arcade Station.

Flora as solic/inv-itation

Flora as an invitation to "occupy" a space (to attract a population to "settle" or "invest" in an "exotic(ized)" location):
Visible Progress: short stories of billboards and Los Angeles, an essay by Janet Owen Driggs
(note: I think this might turn out to be a pretty interesting conversation, if you're interested in topics surrounding the use of flora in the construction of images in support of various imperial projects.)


One contemporary extension/enactment, of the palm (whether Washingtonia Robusta, Euterpe oleracea, et. al.) as solicitation (to develop/inhabit territory), enmeshed in "retórica verde":
Valle de las palmas (+ a Wikipedia article, para aclarar)

COMFORT/COMODIDAD

reading list

Hi all, here is the syllabus with our seminar readings linked
http://vis202artpractice.blogspot.com/

Hey All,

Here's the blog I've put together to help us be in touch.
-Sophia