Annalise Nelson

DRAFTS OF EXISTING
May 2024
Baby’s Place, Atlanta GA

Spring Rain Delirium
Time Seasoned
Webbing
The Start of Hidden Angels
Last Grips of Summer
Close My Eyes to the Sun and I’m Everywhere and Nowhere

“Now the earth is heating up in advance of its destruction by God, who has decided that the first draft of existence contained too many flaws. Ready to go at creation a second time, hoping to get it more right this time, God appears, splits, and manifests as three art critics in the sky: a large bird who critiques from above, a large fish who critiques from the middle, and a large bear who critiques while cradling in its arms.” 
           - Pure Colour, Sheila Heti

“How shall I empathize with an ecosystem? What are my duties to a swarm of mosquitoes? How should I feel about the farmer who burns down a forest to provide for his family?”
            - The Dispossessed, Ursula K. LeGuin

This show was created as the spring opened its petals day by day. Winter fought to remain, but as spring took the reins, there was no going back. Only life trying to make its way above ground, time quickening each day. The only way I knew how to hold on was through paying attention to each new thing spring brought: the first day I felt the warmth from the sun, my nose filling with the perfume from southern jasmine, ridiculously pure purples, pinks, yellows, oranges; the first mow, a spring shower; mornings crisp and days gaining vitality. 

I was describing everything around me, drafting this existence I was a part of back to myself so I could remember what it was like to be here, as told by the senses. 

Drafting is this fluid word that gives room for dreaming of what could be, what needs to be. Existing is active; it requires our attention. We exist together with everything around us. I write, paint and feel to help know what brings me alive. The aliveness is what I want to preserve in the next draft.


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