A Very Merry Unbirthday

“Make A Wish!
What would you do with your piece of the pie?
Write it down.
Put it in the basket.
Have some tea!
My gift to you!”

An Awakening attendee participates in Sharen Mitchell’s A Very Merry Unbirthday installation

At last Saturday’s Awakening, artist Sharen Mitchell transformed a room in 1600 Meeting into a floating garden with 30+ hanging teacups and succulents. Each attendee was instructed to answer the prompt quoted above, and cut down a teacup as a keepsake from the Awakening.
As we continue to reflect on Awakening, we asked Sharen to tell us a bit more about her inspiration for the piece, as well as reflect on the responses collected throughout the day. At the end of this post, you will find all of the responses - verbatim - from the installation. We hope you are as inspired as we are.

In the comments below, tell us: what would you do with your piece of the pie?

ARTIST RESPONSE:

“This installation is a celebration of the rebirth of 1600 Meeting. Like the Mad Hatter’s tea party in Alice’s Wonderland, you, the viewer, are invited to let go of expectations and become part of the magic and mystery of this long awaited celebration of new life, the Awakening.

I invite you to now only move through and become part of this exhibit, but to accept my un-birthday gift to you, a living piece of this floating garden.

I believe that when people are given the opportunity to connect with someone or something (even if only in a small way) it becomes part of them.

By taking home this symbolic “piece of 1600 Meeting” you become
an honored guardian of the life force of this space and all that it is waiting to offer. My hope is that each time you care for your plant, the bond tying you to it and thus to this sleeping giant will grow stronger, for without you, none of this would exist.

Enough Pie turned the soil and sowed the land that allowed me to plant the seed and grow the fruit. I now invite you our honored guests, 
at this very happy un-birthday to enjoy this gift, celebrating the rebirth of 1600 Meeting.

“We do not do great things, only small things with great love.”
- Mother Theresa

It’s within those small, fleeting moments and acts of random kindness that we see the beauty of humanity. With this installation, I hope to not only inspire that within my community but to let others know that this space is a part of you, a part of us, a part of our home.”

Sharen Mitchell
800LB GRRRILLA

Installation by Sharen Mitchell

RESPONSES:

To live my life to the fullest.
Open the eyes of the world to the art at their fingertips.
“I would do art all the time” - Carys, age 6
To create a bright future for myself and others.
I would eat a pie hoping I would get better. I wish I could get better…
I wish for no more war <3 Anna Start a produce stand. I wish I could have a little more time to have my creativity shine through work. I also wish I one day will marry the man I’m with today! Make it a place where children can drive and the elderly can dream. Eat it all by myself. Beauty is flowers everything. Opportunity for all. Space for the children who actually live in this neighborhood. My wish is for people to open their minds to things they don’t already know. A space where people are aware of their identity and the impact it has on others. Create spaces where strangers can meet, share and grow. Take some for ourselves, share with the hungry, make more for the future. A garden of flowers and food – beauty and nourishment for those I love and those I shall. That everyone finds someone or something they are passionate about. More justice. I wish the Despicable Me minions were real… For a wonderful full life of love and happiness. To live long. To live long enough to see my grandchildren grow and prosper. I wish for Clemson to win the national championship. Every kid gets the opportunity to play and create. Help people. I would create a sustainable garden at this place as a living example of art. I wish that Henry could talk and I could tell the future. I wish for world peace. Share it. Make it free. I wish for your dreams to come true. I will eat that pie and I will love it. I would find more ways to share. Share ideas, coffee, bikes, tea, food. Communities share! My wish is that we as members of this community would know that there is always Enough Pie for everyone – we may just need to teach each other how to fish. [lead photo by Elizabeth Jones for Art Mag]