The Bed Project @ Asterisk Gallery

The Bed Project is an ongoing interactive installation that explores the phycological and emotional attachments one has with inanimate objects as well as social norms associated with discussing ones bed.

This project came about over many Agent Orange martinis and crab cake appetizers at Sage Bistro in Tremont, Ohio. I asked my friend Evelyn, and the bartender Everest, what I should do with my very old California King size bed. I had never talked about it before and it was during those conversations I realized just how attached I had become to a “mattress”. I argued that is wasn’t any ordinary mattress — it was my wedding bed. When I divorced I demanded the bed — even though it was his. He left, so I figured he owed me and beside, I didn't want his girlfriend to conceive on my wedding bed! Over more Martinis I discovered that I had rented storage lockers and apartments to accommodate the hopes and dreams this “Cal King” once held. The King, adorned by a Heywood-Wakefield tambour door bookcase headboard, held court for over 20 years before I even entertained the idea of letting it go. I was surprised to find out just how much I had needed that bed. Evelyn and Everest encouraged me to tell my story and ask others about their attachments, or lack thereof, to their bed — a cleansing of sorts before letting go of my bed.

So I decided I would present my bed as art and share my most personal space — revealing I am as insecure and imperfect as the rest of the world. I then invited participants to either sit on the Cal King bed for a taped interview or fill out a questionnaire that asked; What does a bed mean to U? Essentially, it’s where life begins and ends — where we experience our most extreme feelings of love, hope, and despair. With such strong attachments how often have you felt the need to replace your bed? Have you ever given it a thought? Do you replace your bed with each new lover? Or hold onto it in fear of loosing memories — like the sound of a soft falling rain or chicken soup and bedtime stories? What hopes, dreams, and fears has your bed known and how often has it been replaced?

I had hoped that The Bed Project would sever the ties I have with my bed, however, I am now more passionate than ever about keeping the bed with its new found memories. I was blown away by the responses and openness of people to tell their stories and marveled at how surprised many felt when they too realized, as I did, how attached they are to the idea of what a bed represents.

Thus far, I have shown Cal King three times with a fourth show planned to open at Cleveland State University Art Gallery September 2, 2007. The taped interviews will be projected onto one wall of the gallery and the “Cal King” installation will be outside set-up in Gallery Ü Haul where I will be conducing more interviews.

“I want a love like my bed. Someone to support me, someone comfortable, someone who will listen to everything I say, and will be there to catch all my tears. Essentially, a bed is the greatest model of an idealistic love there is”, or so I flippantly use to say. Be carful what you ask for . . . especially over Martinis. I found that someone at Sage and now he is moving in! First time I have lived with anyone other than my ex. So . . . WHOSE BED DO WE KEEP?? His, which was purchased after his divorce, therefore represents a new beginning in his life — or mine? Hence, a the installation “Transition, Part 1”, where I am presenting Edd’s bed as art and asking viewers — “U R moving in. Whose bed do U keep?”