"Baby and the Nacirema" @ The Luggage Store Gallery > Baby (Medium for Intercultural Navigation) 2011/12 Wood, PVC fabric, aluminum, and mixed media 13' x 6' x 16' (Assembled)

This work explores contact languages (Pidgins and Creoles known as Medium for Interethnic Communication) as a metaphor for intercultural navigation. Baby, the protagonist, is a tandem Bangka (Pacific outrigger canoe) derived from a mutation from a single plyak (plywood kayak- 50's era), and a collapsible kayak design.

Through the summer of 2011, Baby navigated numerous bodies of water across the United States. The first leg of Baby’s journey occurred on May 21, 2011 from Richmond, VA (seat of the Confederacy) and concluded near Jamestown, VA (the first successful British colony). Later Baby sailed in Chincoteage Bay, Pokemoke River, Mississippi River, Bayou St. John, Rio Grande/Pecos River, and San Francisco Bay.

Loosely imitating Lewis & Clark's expedition, this endeavor was to describe the people of the Nacirema. These plates, cultural artifacts, and water samples (not shown) were collected during this time. These artifacts serve as a cultural constellation for navigation.

Photo taken at Lake Amistad, TX on the border of the United States and Mexico.