Archive for May 4th, 2007

Most everyone I passed on the street today looked at me kinda funny, which I suppose had something to do with the HUGE backwards henna tattoo on my forehead: “EVERYTHING WILL BE TAKEN AWAY”.

If you’re wondering what possessed me to do this (and the other 60 - 100 or so other NYC folks out there walking around with the same message emblazoned on their heads)… it’s all in the name of art.

Adrian Piper, an extremely educated conceptual artist and philosopher based in Berlin who rumor has it avoids traveling to America due to being on a creepy security list that apparently involves all sorts of fun airport searches, is putting her latest art piece on people’s bodies.

Everything #10 is art turned social experiment and was made possible through Creative Time- an organization that brings art to the community. Producer Gavin and Intern Tess were onsite for the project and really cool people in general. Henna artist and musician, Mollie King, painted everyone during the 2 day project. I personally want to know how she can write backwards! Oh and it’s backwards because that way it is legible to each individual when they look in the mirror.

King, who admits she was at first a bit skeptical about the project, came to truly appreciate the significance of it all as she literally painted the mendhi/henna onto people’s heads over and over again. It became her mantra- the meaning deepening with each new subject that trickled in.

HOMEWORK:
All participants will be keeping a journal of their experience 3 times a day until the henna fades completely in approximately 4- 10 days. Then, on the 1 year anniversary they are asked to review their journals and share their thoughts on the project.

MY EXPERIENCE SO FAR:
Today it just means that I have backwards letters stuck on my head. By the time the message fades I think it will mean much more. I’m looking forward to this.

So far, many stares have come my way on the subway, in stores and restaurants and on the street. The 1st person to actually acknowledge it directly was a very nice homeless man. When I saw him approaching I started gathering the change in my pocket, but he only wanted an answer to his query: “What them words on yo head say?” When I told him, he just looked at me with knowing eyes, nodded and walked on.

A child on the subway finally asked what everyone else on the train was wondering- Is that a tattoo? Why’s it on your head? Does it come off? Why did you get it? Does it hurt? Some people smiled, some rolled their eyes, some pretended to ignore me completely.

I have a date tonight- he wants to stay in instead of hanging out with the mantra-headed artsy-lookin chick- HA! I think not- I want to wander the streets to see what the reactions will be.

Overall: This is a crazy way to spend a few days. I’m looking at people through different eyes through this process- learning a bit about people and society. I’ll be interested to follow this project to see others reactions, as well as my own. Would you wear art on your head??