I was recently able to have my mother record herself singing the song she used to sing to me as a child.
This was used as a lullaby for me. I have no clue why she sang to me about watermelons and seeds but I understand now. I was a child and a little kid eating watermelon seeds could result in choking.
Listening to it now, it seems a little ridiculous but also nostalgic for the times where I would only worry about swallowing watermelon seeds.
I mean to this day I still do not swallow watermelon seeds. I know there is nothing wrong with swallowing the seeds but it just puts me off, swallowing them.
Big Watermelon, How good it is!
Everyone wants to eat it.
Not being careful, swallowed… a few round seeds — Ai Ya Ya
I asked mommy, “What should I do?”
A melon will grow from the top of my head!
Mommy laughed and said, “Lots of melons will grow for us to eat”
From spring to winter. There will be melons all year long.
My piece will be more of a performance rather than a sculptural. I decided to try something new that I do not usually do. I would prefer not to have me or my body in the piece but I think it is good to spread myself out and try other media.
Hence why I will be filming myself.
I think what I’m planning on doing will be pretty simple.
I will be presenting 2 watermelons. Checking the sound, the smell, the shape. Everything about it.
I will then be preparing it (i.e. cutting it up, I am contemplating the strength and speed as to which that will happen but I might just leave it for the moment).
After cutting the watermelon, I will plate it and then eat all of the watermelons. Seeds and all to show that what my mother told me as a child and what I learned was all but a little white lie so that I would not choke on a watermelon seed.