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Performance Action with Life Ring at Jefferson Memorial, Washington, D.C.



On Friday, July 14, I walked around Jefferson Memorial for three hours carrying a life ring.

My original intention for the performance actions in my Provisions for Buoyancy series, is to walk in parts of Washington, D.C. that would be flooded if the sea level were to rise by 5-6 feet, while carrying a provision for buoyancy that I made out of refuse materials. Unfortunately, if the sea level were to rise by that amount, this historic site would be flooded.  You can see, as I did, by consulting the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) online Sea Level Rise Viewer.

Carrying a life ring around Jefferson Memorial signified more than that alone for me however. Given Jefferson was the primary author of The Declaration of Independence, and given, even today, our freedom is at risk... With this in mind, it felt all the more meaningful to be walking around this historic site carrying a life ring. 

Much thanks to Susanna Lee from VisArts for accompanying me to document this performance action. 

 
 
 


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Location: 701 E Basin Dr SW, Washington, DC 20242, USA

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