one to one performance: 6 hours
"10th International Performance Art Festival Navinki 2008"; Palac Mastactva; Minsk, Belarus. 2008
Joining me in a semi-private space within the gallery, the visitor was invited to show me a scar on their body, tell me how they got it, and how long it took to heal.
Most wounds were caused by accidents, a surprising number self-inflicted, and some inflicted by other humans and animals. Some scars were physical, while others were psychological. However, they shared one common trait: All scars were in various stages of healing, regardless of our awareness of it.
The body is resilient; it restores itself.
In acknowledgement of the trials and tribulations we will encounter from time to time throughout our lives, I drizzle a spoonful of honey into the palm of my visitor. An ancient remedy for injuries both external and internal, honey also makes pain easier to bear. According to Dr Paul Heaton, Mary Poppins wasn’t the first to come up with this idea: Historical texts refer to Jews being given honey just before circumcision.
A sprinkle of flax seeds – revered in the local region since antiquity – adds a measure of luck and protection against future afflictions.
photos by: Ana Koch and Thomas Stevenson