Ready to open at The Printer's Ball 2015: Push and Pull

 The mother spider plants and repurposed signage were arranged to catch attendees attention and draw them into the space.

The new structures created by Bob were arranged in a labyrinth, displaying the spider plantlets and zinnia flowers.  A bench, a chair and a table were available as places to write poems.

The islands offered plants, plantlets and flowers for traded poems.

A Cuban oregano plant serves as the centerpice for the writing table.

A Poetry Reading to Celebrate Plants for Poems

 Three poetry enthusiasts from the university culled through the words and read them to a nice audience at the closing reception.

Poems were shared. 

 The audience was really engaged.

They even decorated the reception table with the allium and tomatoes.

And Yes, People Were Really Engage in Poet-ing

 Most people used the stations provided.

 Wind, nor rain, nor heat kept people from making an effort to write.

They learned to share and help each other as the winds gusted. 

 Some people brought the tablets over to the sill to write.

 Leave a note.

 There was a real sense of community.

Poem Equals Plant

This is my favoite illustration of how it works: poem=plant.

Impromptu Gardening Classes

 As people came and went, we would share gardening tips.

We'd start talking, then notice someone overhearing, and another, then before we'd know it, a whole class had gathered.

People were finding bags and studying the varieties. 

 They would study the plants to find the healthiest with the widest stalks.

 It was definitely a crash course at the university.

Elapsed G.E.E.E. 60637

 I've tried to document the plants going out into the world.  You never know how the installation will condense, so I hope you can get a sense how things disappeared.

 I think this view best shows the exodus of the tomato plants.

The first day there was a lot of plants in this corner, but by day 2 we shrunk inward.  Please note all the weather changes: rain and heat and wind were all there.

People were So Proud of the Plants they Picked

 Even in the rain, people were excited to participate.

 It's funny how a big purple flower can change your day.

I must admit, I overheard this guy calling his friend from the cafe to come over and pick plants.  They made an afternoon of it.

 Yet another flower going out into the world.

Bicycle baskets were a preferred mode of bring the tomato plants home.

 Words with Friends at G.E.E.E. turns into Flowers with Friends...

 and even more Flowers with Friends.

This participant asked if she could take a few flowers to friends. 

 This gentleman offered a dirty limerick in trade for a plant for his lady.

 Thank you, everyone for participating.

Installation of G.E.E.E. 60637

Tuesday morning, we brought around 2,500 tomato plants that we have been growing at a south suburban greenhouse.

 We arranged the plants by variety in a labyrinth of sorts, planted our signs and set up shop.

 People were very curious and starting interacting, and spreading the word among classmates, friends, families, and coworkers.

The seedlings have been cared for in a cold house, creating healthy, sturdy plants.

People studied the varieties to find the perfect fruit for their taste.

The plants and participants really brought the concrete plaza to life.

We set up stations to write and receive poems.

G.E.E.E. 60637 at the Logan Center for the Arts

We are so pleased to have the opportunity to present G.E.E.E. 60637 at the University of Chicago Logan Center for the Arts with grateful support from the U. of C. Arts, Science and Culture Initiative.

The event will be a version of "Plants for Poems" which we have previously produced at the Archive House of the Rebuild Foundation, Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Hyde Park Art Center.

The exchange will be 15 varieties of mostly heirloom tomatoes and growing tips for poems and words that will document what participants are thinking this particular time and place.

To end the event, a group of U. of C. students will recite some of the poems at a closing reception.