Potato

Over the course of the last few weeks, emails have been bouncing back and forth about the possibility of a Potato Exhibit at the United States Botanic Gardens in Washington DC next May. Meredith and Tom Hughes, co-founders of THE POTATO MUSEUM, an organization dedicated to researching, preserving and explaining to the public the history of the world's most valuable plant, are the organizers. Rebecca, Nina and I have decided to participate. Our first potato event, The Potato Eaters: Dig It Baby! was in St. Louis, Missouri in January of 2002. The Cult of Potato group exhibit followed in February 2005 at the Contemporary Art Collective in Las Vegas, Nevada.

My first instinct was to say no to this invitation. But I always have such a good time at these events and the opportunity came about right on the heels of The Kick Ass Awards -- so I was feeling a certain calling, a need to do something creative and communal. Then over this weekend at my parent's, I stumbled upon The Complete Potato Cookbook at an antique store AND my mom found a heart-shaped potato in her bin. I took these as signs. So now I'm contemplating potato-inspired artwork that has some component of education and/or interactivity and/or community. Ideas abound. Time does not. We'll see how it goes. You can follow the activity at http://cultofpotato.magntize.com/.

Classic cookbook by Ruth Bakalar, copyright 1969. "Here, at last, is a book that celebrates the lowly potato in teh style it deserves, presenting sumptuous food that are bound to please even the most finicky palate."

Mom scores a giant heart-shaped potato. We couldn't bear to eat it.

Me, contemplating the potato. Photo courtesy Jess Dewes.