“I’ve Been Planting Daisies”
Chapter One.
On November 21st, 2023, a group of flowers came together to answer the following questions:
“How do you imagine the world, after you’ve gone?”
“How do you want to be cared for, in death?”
Directed by Dashaunae Marisa, DP by Giselle Keena, and Styled by Camaron Engels. Conceptualised by me.
What began as a series of flower hats made from cut up clothes my ex left behind, evolved into a series of conversations, paintings, and costumes as a group of strangers came together to process the ways grief can change us for the better.
This was the first conversation of many, and was even showcased as a digital billboard at 8743 Sunset Blvd, this past sping under the title “I Dreamt of Dandelions.”
Chapter Three.
On the first anniversary of Chapter One, I became curious about where everyone had bloomed. Something told me there was more to uncover, so I reached out to each of the original flowers, and asked that we cut up their flower hats- what unfolded was truly magical. From flower arranging workshops in hospices to intimate dinner parties, we were introduced to new versions of ourselves time and time again.
One hat became a prom dress, another became a malai. I began recordng conversations, writing poems, and painting portraits along the way…
Chapter Two.
As a celebration of the 3rd anniversary of the first Planting Daisies project, I will be publishing a storybook.
It will be a modern folktale literally made up of bits and pieces of art that I had collected these past three years, a culmination of all the daisies we have planted in each other and ourselves.
