PLENTY was a site specific sculptural and performative offering, created over the course of a summer. It was first presented to a small audience in my garden, Fall 2022.
Producer/Director: Emma Smith Performers/Co-Creators: Emma Smith, Emma Debono, Tanis MacArthur, Grace Loney

Let us begin.

The spine of the escarpment runs from New York State through the province of Ontario. Up over the top of Lake Huron and settling West in Michigan.
This land up on the ridge, fruitful, some places still wild. A myriad of streams, sometimes overflowing, though this year, many dry.
This territory is the traditional land of the Erie, Neutral, Huron-Wendat, Haudenosaunee and Mississaugas. and is covered by the Dish With One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant - A dish to represent the territory, and one spoon to represent that the resources of the land are to be shared, and that only what is needed, is taken. We owe a debt to those who were here before us, and recognize our responsibility, as guests, to respect and honour the intimate relationship Indigenous peoples have to this land. Nestled within 150km of four large bodies of water, this place is lush, special. It is a privilege to be here.

In late September, goldenrod and aster are in full bloom. The leaves of sugar maple start to turn. Tall ditch grasses sway in the wind, and the birds call as they fly south. Critters are gathering their caches for winter, and humans too, are preparing. The light is low in the sky, shadows cast, a chill come sun down, crickets lament long into the night.

This is a place of plenty.

Let us stop moving, just for a few moments and witness the abundance before us.
Look longer at dew drops on fallen leaves.
Listen to waves lapping. Feel them push against our legs, our tiny hairs on end in the breeze.
Watch a spider turn its web. Catch the scent of damp earth and rich soil.
Wade in. Lay down. Dig hands into the ground. See shadows dance.

Throw our heads back, faces up, towards the sun.