Artist Statement

For my next art project, I will be relocating myself 5 hours away from my birth location. I will rent out a room in Oakland, California. The day before, I will drive my last drive on side streets of Los Angeles, from Hollywood to Hawthorne, taking in my surroundings with all available senses. The following morning, I will then move to Oakland. I will fill my room with my records, books, and art supplies. I will then attempt to understand why I made this decision. I will also attempt to understand the importance of isolation, friendship, loneliness, and love. In the fashion of cultural anthropologists, I will immerse myself within the framework of Oakland, becoming part of its workforce and collecting a wide variety of data through various field studies. I will monitor and compare the weather and freeway structures. I will be contacted weekly by my mother to inform me on the latest political and moral climate back at home. I will write letters and send drawings to the love I miss. I will attempt to lose my mind and find it again. I will be as honest as possible with myself and continue the project until I find it no longer desirable. Then, I will move back home and the project will be over, and the art piece will be finished.