Midterm Project Preparation

Test Run
Non-edible Part: Layout, Decorations, Containers.

Addition to Midterm Proposal

Timeline

10/1 Buy containers/decorations
10/18 Buy materials and Test Run
10/18 Buy materials for final presentation
10/18 Final Present

Choice of Materials

I chose assorted processed foods as my main material for two reasons. Firstly, these are the foods I had often and they reflect the fact that I don't cook. Secondly and most importantly, this would echo with my concept of presenting my ordinary diet routine on a calendar. While the repetition of foods and calendar represent the dullness of a life routine, it also reflects my job as an administrative assistant who has to cope with schedules all year long.
As people are expected to conform, to rush into the ‘machine’ of society, here goes the project topic Mediocrity.

*The pictures are made just to show the basic idea of construction/orientation of my project. There will be 30 spots representing 30 days of a month, the calendar will show through from the bottom of the silkscreen. These spots will be substituted for assorted processed foods and Chinese Ginseng tea. A kettle is required to boil water by the final presentation.

Swale Plant Report Part 1

Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan is a biennial forb about 1m tall with yellow ray flowers and dark brown spherical centers. Naturalized in most of the states east of Kansas and the bordering areas of Canada. It is winter hardy and best growth is achieved on sandy, well-drained sites.
Black-eyed Susan blooms from June to September of the second year. After germination, the seedling grows into a rosette with oblong leaves. After flowering and seed maturation, the plants die.
Uses
1. Erosion control: An important component in critical area treatment plantings along road cuts, hillsides etc.
2. Wildlife: Offers protection and food to birds.
3. Recreation and beautification

Garlic Chive

Garlic Chive is a perennial plant that can easily grow in well-drained soil. Needs regular watering especially in the heat. 

The blades on garlic chives are flat, solid, and lighter green than those of chives. It is traditionally grown in Asia where it is considered as an antidote to poison along with other medical attributes. The subtle garlic taste and fragrance can also be used in soups, salad dressing, and dips. The edible flowers can make an attractive garnish, as well as providing multi-vitamins, folate, and flavonoid antioxidant.

Full proposal for Midterm Project (Revised)

The Midterm project “Mediocrity” presents my regular daily diets routine, as a person who eats simple and barely cooks. Inspired by Andy Warhol, this calendar based composition of foods reflects my personal way of a simple living. The thirty-day diets exhibition will contain elements reflecting the company I work for, the fine arts major I’m taking in school, as well as a mixed-cultured diet rooted from Chinese identity in New York.

A brand new silkscreen will be used as the serving tray. A hand-drawn calendar is placed below so that when viewers take away the food, a date will be showing through. This thirty-day diet contains processed foods from the places where I eat often. Chinese Ginseng Tea will be served in four miniature wooden containers, while some others will be served in two miniature shopping carts which represent the shopping dates during a month. 

All thirty days of foods will be at a tiny amount just for the purpose of presenting, which are designed to be consumed during critique. The designed presentation will be a free conversation after my short introduction, raise questions while tasting the foods. Topic related gifts will be given to instructors and students who are interested in trying.

Challenge of this project will be the layout of this many materials, together in a way that they are not too distinct from each other. I decided to buy the foods with basic colors such as white green and red to create a unified canvas, while the calendar down the bottom will be simplified as single color grids so that it doesn't distract the subject matters.