Seed Pod of Purpose
I decided to make my seed pod from a hallowed out orange peel. I wanted to use an organic material and I wanted the container I chose to be a metaphor for the uniqueness that makes my personality and story. I additionally was inspired to create seed pods that symbolize my upcoming transition back home to Michigan. My Grandad was very interested in the complexities of oranges to the point of having one put on his tombstone. As I go back to Michigan, I think of the complexity I am entering into but I want to purposefully choose joy and journeying deep with family members and friends in order to receive healing and cultivate personal and communal growth. One orange symbolizes joy and the ability to express my voice both as a poet and as a daughter and sister has been traumatically hurt by family members. My best friend, who I was creating the piece with, gave the blessing of the words "use your voice" that are Mod-Podged into the orange. Additionally, there is a typewriter to metaphorically represent the time and almost laborious process of healing in this manner. Typewriters look cool and healing sounds great( both of these things are!) but it requires attention to detail to use a typewriter and it requires identifying root problems to truly come to a space of resolution and transformative healing. I also accordion-folded a poem into the orange called "The Confidant" to remind myself to continue with my journey of moving home despite being unsure of the outcome.
The other orange , shown in the slideshow below, is an image of two women having a deep conversation and one is crying while the other comforts her. I chose this image because I purpose to be part of a community that is deeply connected with each other and shows up for each other in the worst and best times in life. It also represents some healing I want to have between my mom and me and my birth mom and me. It was emotional creating this piece for that reason but what I saw was not a woman who was weeping with uncontrollable sorrow but a woman who was sharing her inner self and experiencing transformation through that process of being known and accepted by someone she loves. I also put a succulent(air plant) in the orange because I wanted to show the inner growth of an individual when they share a truth with another or become a listener of someone else. I chose a succulent because they are known to be a part of an extreme ecosystem, yet they are resilient, strong and beautiful.
My best friend, Devon, created a shell for her seed pod. The shell was made up of a magazine paper that had an image of the world to represent her upcoming travels. Within the shell, she added an image that reminded her of herself, a piano to represent the ongoing journey of showing up to create even in seasons where it is hard and experience renewal along each step of the journey. She also chose the words wife, hospitality and community to store in her shell, these are all big components of who she is. Her shell composition reminded me a lot of a time capsule of sacred items. I spoke the blessing of courage over her and encouraged her to continue reaching out to others and forming deep bonds with them. This has been a very bitter sweet time for us as I move back home.I left Seattle once and returned so it is tough for us to go through these sprints of distance but we are both committed to being friends, no matter where we live.
The other orange , shown in the slideshow below, is an image of two women having a deep conversation and one is crying while the other comforts her. I chose this image because I purpose to be part of a community that is deeply connected with each other and shows up for each other in the worst and best times in life. It also represents some healing I want to have between my mom and me and my birth mom and me. It was emotional creating this piece for that reason but what I saw was not a woman who was weeping with uncontrollable sorrow but a woman who was sharing her inner self and experiencing transformation through that process of being known and accepted by someone she loves. I also put a succulent(air plant) in the orange because I wanted to show the inner growth of an individual when they share a truth with another or become a listener of someone else. I chose a succulent because they are known to be a part of an extreme ecosystem, yet they are resilient, strong and beautiful.
My best friend, Devon, created a shell for her seed pod. The shell was made up of a magazine paper that had an image of the world to represent her upcoming travels. Within the shell, she added an image that reminded her of herself, a piano to represent the ongoing journey of showing up to create even in seasons where it is hard and experience renewal along each step of the journey. She also chose the words wife, hospitality and community to store in her shell, these are all big components of who she is. Her shell composition reminded me a lot of a time capsule of sacred items. I spoke the blessing of courage over her and encouraged her to continue reaching out to others and forming deep bonds with them. This has been a very bitter sweet time for us as I move back home.I left Seattle once and returned so it is tough for us to go through these sprints of distance but we are both committed to being friends, no matter where we live.