Inspire Respire

Kristin set up a table with 300 balloons behind the table. The table was labeled with signs advertising free genetically modified air samples. Fellow classmates were passing out short explanations of the benefits of genetically modified air and encouraging them to get a free sample at the table. When a person approached the table, Kristin asked if they had ever tried Inspire Respire before. She had the subject blow into a balloon and 'tested' the balloon to see if they had been exposed to the air. Two things could happen at this point. If they had not been exposed to the air they would receive a free balloon followed by a explanation of the true intentions behind the project. The person was invited to sign a protest against Monsanto which would then be sent out to government representatives. If Kristin decided that someone had been exposed to Inspire Respire and was not currently on the list of purchasers, she signaled to her "Air Police," telling them that there seemed to be a problem. The Air Police would then take the subject to the side and threaten to take away all of their possessions and sue them for everything they had for stealing from the company. After scaring the subject sufficiently, the subject was provided with the explanation and the option to sign the protest against Monsanto.

The concept of patented air should be obviously ridiculous. Air is a life fueling force that is necessary to live. Putting a patent on air would presume that humans can control and own it. Food is another source of energy necessary for survival on even the most basic level. Yet, companies feel that they have the right to patent their genetically modified foods such a corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and soybean. Monsanto is the leading company of organic patents in the world with their patents totaling 674 and growing. Consumers have no rights in that these genetically modified foods legally require no labeling. Studies have shown that genetically modified foods cause gradual deterioration in organs of animals that are fed these foods. Monsanto presents itself as a corporation devoted to increasing the profits of small farmers. However, most crops go to feed not the poor, but to animal feed in already wealthy countries. Furthermore, Monsanto’s corn seeds are aggressive, blowing into other farmers’ fields and taking over. Monsanto sends their “Seed Police” in to test crops in the middle of the night. If a farmer is found with Monsanto crops which he has not paid for, they sue the farmer for massive amounts of money. Most of these are small farmers who do not have the money to pay legal fees, much less contribute their small earnings to the multibillion dollar corporation that is Monsanto. Monsanto is monopolizing the world’s food supply- and doing it with full government support. This is all happening without public knowledge or consent. Monsanto is currently fighting for a patent on selective breeding of pigs, isolating genes so that they produce bigger pigs with less feed needed. If this pattern keeps going, Monsanto will own our rights to all foods. This is an issue that we need to be aware of and take action against. Our future and the future of the human species depends on it. Please spread this information amongst your friends, or even people you don’t know. If you care to get more information, please visit the following websites:

http://www.organicconsumers.org/monlink.cfm

http://www.monsantosucks.com/

http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/features/2008/05/monsanto200805

http://www.mcspotlight.org/beyond/companies/monsanto.html 

I Kinda Miss the Chemicals

Kristin began by making the class wait outside the room while she sat each person individually. The first person was seated on top of the middle table. She got her own special menu with specific instructions. She was not to speak and could only eat with her hands. Each person after that was seated at one of the side tables with their backs to the center table. Upon entering, each person received a menu with instructions for the meal. (Feel free to look through the menu posted by the pictures). Each person was given a line that they could whisper such as, “Tomatoes are tomatoes,” or “Potatoes are potatoes,” or “Corn is corn.” and “Looks the same to me.” The actors at the side table could eat only with their utensils and were requested to eat all of their food. Once finished, they could turn their plates over to read the instructions on the back of the plate. One by one the class would finish, turn over their plates, read the instructions, and then put their head down. The performance ended when the center person finished and smiled for the camera!

This project was addressing the genetically modified food situation in the United States. Companies are not required to tell consumers that their food is genetically modified. Tomatoes, potatoes, and corn are the three products that are most often genetically modified. The person at the center table was fed completely organic food. She was separated to suggest the way many organic consumers find themselves to be. Organic foods have turned into a strange fad. They should be the only food that we eat, yet many people view these products as strange tasting and alien. The rest of the class was fed genetically modified foods. The heads placed on the plate at the end was to simulate the unknown long- term effects of eating GM foods. The purpose was not only to address the fact that the effects of GM foods are unknown, but also to celebrate the choices that organic food consumers make for themselves and the rest of humanity.

A Shift in Focus

This project addressed the ritual of a drug addiction. On one side was a huge mirror that Kristin cut lines (of plaster intending to look like heroin) out onto. On the other side she rolled logs of clay, creating a circular base and gradually building it up. At first, the lines were cut neatly and arranged in straight lines. The rolling of the clay was done with care and attention and proper attachment methods. More attention was paid to the clay, with a few interruptions to carefully cut lines. Gradually, the focus was shifted to the lines. The clay was rolled more quickly and slopped on, causing the shape to lose its stability. The lines got bigger and less attention was paid to their layout. The whole process became more and more frantic and the neatness and care was completely lost by the end.

This project was done as a tribute to a close friend of mine who has been struggling with a drug addiction to heroin for the past few years. I have watched as he tried to balance his sober, real life (represented by the clay) with his hidden addiction (represented by the plaster lines). At first, the drugs did not seem to affect his life in any intense way. Gradually, however, the addiction became more important than his real life, taking over. He struggled to balance is sober life with his addiction, but the beast inside created by the drugs became too strong. This project was intended as a tribute to my friend and a release for my own feelings of watching a beautiful life frantically turn into chaos.