Embodiment of a Seed
- Walk down the sidewalk.
- Look for openings in the asphalt or cement that act as homes for weeds.
- Get close up. Think about scale.
- Imagine a tiny seed collecting itself in a crack or corner of the cement. The seed accepts what is available and uses it as its home.
- As the seed: hold on to this crevice, nestle in.
- What does it mean to begin to make roots here?
“Vacant” Lot Solo
- Observing the structures within a vacant lot.
- Notice the various ways borders are formed.
- What support structures do you see?
- How do these structures direct the plants’ movement?
- Find a nearby structure (wall, tree, fire hydrant…).
- Lean up against the structure with different parts of your body. Your foot. Your back. Your hand. Your head.
- How does this gesture instruct the rest of your body to move?
- How can this relationship support you? How can you support the structure?
Co-Mingling (a Duet)
- Work with a partner and walk through an alleyway or weedy pathway together
- Imagine you are 2 plants co-mingling. At different seasons you are most active.
- If you feel comfortable, ask your partner to close their eyes — guide them through the space. Detail what you see of this pathway. How and where do the plants inhabit this space?
- Person with eyes closed. Speak up to gain support to walk confidently through the space as you are told what is around you. Guide adjust accordingly.
- Switch roles.
- Afterward talk through the similarities and differences of how you saw this space and where you needed support.
Human Fence
- Walk the perimeter of a fence.
- Observe the juxtaposition between what is on the inside and on the outside.
- Where are the weeds?
Skyward
- Find a tall plant that sticks out of the crowd.
- Sit or lay down on the ground next to it and look up to the sky.
- What things can you see now?
- Imagine yourself becoming the tall plant.
- Join in movement you see of the tall plant.
- You have grown this far. Where do you go from here?
Holding Weedy Space
- Spend 1 minute in silence observing the weedy ecosystem.
- Notice the weeds inhabiting this space.
- Extend your finger into the fence and offer gratitude and thanks to a plant through a gesture or touch.
