Collecting Impressions

In collaboration with Nicole Seisler

Collecting Impressions is an art project that consists of socially engaged walks. The project reflects on the complex relationship between cultural history, urban landscape, and its citizens. Utilizing the contemplative action of walking as an art-making tool, I have led public walking tours within the urban settings of many cities throughout the United States––New York, Chicago, Denver, and Miami––over the course of 10 years. During those encounters, participants collect direct clay impressions of the built landscape. While on these nomadicquests, I am dressed in a uniform and equipped with a cart that holds blocks of wet clay. The goal of these walks is to interact with public audiences within the neighborhood, inviting them to share stories of their communal landscape design and create physical imprints.

Installed in a gallery, these fired porcelain objects embody architectural imprints and the mark of the hand made during walks with the participation of public. It becomes a map and archive of the character of each particular place.