Fly or Die

Embroidery

2020

_{Fly or Die

Embroidery on image printed on polyester; frame covered with recycled plastic fabric.}

“Friends, I’m wondering how you deal with invitations to travel in the context of your work? I find myself really torn between the desire to go places and meet (usually lovely, interesting and super smart) people and the increasing feeling of total hypocrisy because, you know, the world is on fire.”

Thus began a discussion on social media between academics and artists trying to negotiate between the injunction to travel imposed by their desire for professional recognition, and the destructive effects of such travel, on the environment and on themselves. Responses ranged from a total renunciation of air travel to ridiculous compensations, such as using only one wastebasket in one’s Dubai/Tokyo/Paris/Sydney hotel.