There are more microbes in a teaspoon of soil than there are people on the earth. – James J. Hoorman & Rafiq Islam, OSU Extension

THE SOIL, too—let others pen-and-ink the sea, the air, (as I sometimes try)—but now I feel to choose the common soil for theme—naught else. – Walt Whitman

3rd iteration of Colony 2019, valise, soil, self portrait, post-cards, compostable bags and wood.

Colony, (2nd iteration) at the Garage in San Francisco, CA 2006

Colony is an ongoing, iterative social work and sculpture wherein soil acts as proxy for the artistic body. Guests are encouraged to take “seed” soil from the installation and colonize their land with microorganisms from mine. Pre-addressed and stamped postcards are provided to track the soil diaspora. Significant gestures & objects are appropriated and repurposed in effect “colonizing” art history, religious ritual and universal gifting customs.