Field Experience #12: Impermanence II was a global participatory event during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic organized by Julka Almquist (Field Experience curator) and artists Torey Erin and Peng Wu. Together they invited participants to make temporary sculptures outside and map them for others to find. Here is the map, with participant sculptures created in China, Italy, South America, and more. Map details found here.

Dear Friends,

At the time that we write this, there have been 759,375 covid-19 deaths and protests have been held in over 1700 places throughout all 50 states in the US and internationally after the murder of George Floyd. The past few months have heightened uncertainty for all of us in many different ways

Will our loved ones fall ill to the virus Will we be tear gassed at a protest Will we be harmed by another

Will we be able to pay our bills

Will we ever hug again

The life we all lead is constantly changing moment to moment. It is impermanent - groundless, uncertain, unknown. This impermanence can feel exhilarating, frightening, petrifying. It can make us feel shaky about ourselves and life, as if we are falling through the sky. At times this uncertainty can result in patterns of desire for control, or procrastination, or giving up entirely because of fear that we might fail. It is so human to be in this discomfort. But we invite you to be in it. To allow it by examining that the only thing that is permanent is impermanence.

In the summer of 2018 for Field Experience #12: Impermanence at Deming Heights Park in Minneapolis, a small group of us gathered, set up blankets and books about plants and a tray

of cherries and nuts and chocolate. A giant storm rolled in, the clouds heavy and gray above us, pregnant. We spoke about impermanence, and how flowers and plants are complete, impermanent fragrant sculptures: they are light and life and cycle through seasons and whether storms. They are symbols of loss and grief. Of rebirth, regeneration and growth.

We then prompted the group to play: to walk around the neighborhood and notice and arrange plant material and found objects together to form a small sculpture, perhaps for someone else to discover. Some filled recycled soda cans with weeds and sticks. Some climbed trees and created arrangements for the birds and squirrels. Some created vigils for their loved ones. The storm clouds loomed over our heads as we walked through alleyways and assembled garland on the branches of trees.

We regathered the group and the sun began to set, shifting below the storm clouds. Peng led us in

a sunset practice to let go of the day and embrace the night, and we all stood silently facing the sun as it shifted below the gray clouds reflecting warm peach hues. As moments passed, the wind changed swiftly and it began to pour rain as we said goodbye to one another.

On 38th and Chicago in Minneapolis, the site where George Floyd was murdered, has become a community vigil. Flowers adorn the street and murals of Floyd have been beautifully painted. Throughout Minneapolis people are naturally arranging flowers and cards on sites of burned buildings and rubble, to show signs of communal care and initiate growth and positivity. These sites feel so sacred, a way of grieving as a community.

We invite you and your loved ones to process the idea of impermanence in life and breath, in the wake of a pandemic and uprising. Acknowledging the pain and shakiness of this time, embracing its uncertainty, and grieving the pain can be incredibly healing. We have generated a google map for this event, to archive these sites of arrangements and vigils. Perhaps you come across one, and add it to the map. Or maybe you have the opportunity to make one yourself, and leave it for someone to find. You could even look at the map to go and find an arrangement, to contemplate the gesture of impermanence.

Thanks for being a part of it all.

With love, Torey & Peng

How to find the coordinates of your arrangement on map:

1, Stay at the place where you just placed/found the arrangement. Open Google Map on your phone. Zoom in on the map with two fingers towards the blue dot indicating your location.

2, Place your finger on the blue dot and hold till you see the red pin appear. Now the coordinates will be in the map address box.

3, Copy the coordinates and email us, we will add the site to the customized Google Map we have sent you. If you like, you can send us a description or a photo of the arrangement. We will add that to the map too. However everything on this map will fade away with time, just like the impermanent arrangement in the physical world.