In my art practice, I refer to the forging and deepening of connections as a “process of acquaintance.” This process requires deep listening and communicating and is arguably the most important investment for a successful relationship. Further, should this process ever end, the relationship’s growth will be stunted and its viability at stake.
The Field Marks both exemplify and encourage others to practice this process of acquaintance. Each Field Mark is initially created outside, on site. There, I have a push/pull experience - a dialogue - by applying paint, marker, vinyl, and other art materials on a clear acrylic surface. As I peer at the environment beyond, I determine aspects of the site I want to emphasize, counter, or let be. Because each piece is a one-off, the stakes are high and I feel vulnerable. But because each piece is immediate and imperfect, the stakes are also low and I feel playful. This invested improvisation encapsulates the dynamism, complication, and intimacy that arises from a process of acquaintance.
In their final form, the Field Marks are tiny, mixed media works (usually 3”x4”) sandwiched between 14”x22” acrylic sheets sealed in 60” tall metal stands. Visitors are encouraged to peer through each Field Mark, experiencing firsthand the kind of active listening dialogue that encourages relationships - inter- and intra-species alike - to thrive.
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