Devotion ($3/day), 2023

Canned foods, grains, cooker, reciept on wood
12 in x 12 in x 12 in

This diet optimizes cost-to-nutrition ratio,
keeping me fed and fueled
while I dedicate everything I am
to revealing the artist I aspire to be.

"How is this art??? ...I could have done that."

Devotion ($3/day) promotes continued conversation on 'value of content vs. appeal of branding', a counterpoint to Andy Warhol's Campbell's Soup series, and palpable commentary on the public's consumption of branded media as social content.
Unassuming by design, Devotion captures the unseen discipline of the artist's process, shaped into a portrait of humanity every person can relate to: the need for food.
Baiting the audience to critique with "How is this art??? ...I could have done that." Devotion responds, "Yes."

Not discipline or religion. Nor performance art since it's not performing. Just a lifestyle adjustment.
It buys the freedom to stay in flow. With hunger as my vehicle, Creativity takes the wheel.

Equally inspired by Erique Chagoya's Enlightened Savage, a dark taste of artistic individuals as sustinance (labeled and mooshed into tin cans, then packed into a box for marketing and easy distribution).
Devotion ($3/day) was created out of necessity to survive. A diet designed to maximize budget and minimize distraction
while scraping together enough nutritional energy to dedicate everything I am to capturing a visionary life outside status quo.
Ripping off imposed labels. Clacking back the hermetically sealed tab. Releasing delectable aromas of self awareness.
This is the artist's process. Over and over again until the message is complete or dinner is ready. In this case, both.

the recipe

For months my imagination pounded a cloudy projection of the artwork in silhouette, stamped with a blinding white number '3' (an overly-aggressive guiding frequency increasing louder and brighter like it was annoyed I was taking so long to figure this puzzle out). At two weeks of tasting and trying again, I repeatedly rummaged the canned food isle matching assorted combos of beans and vegetables. Until one day with squeeky-wheeled cart and calculator in-hand, I felt the magical moment as everything added up to exactly $3.00. The recipe was complete.

But how do I capture this magical moment for others to discover too?
I am an Accessibility artist. I want my audiences to feel the whole experience. Not just the food part.

Since so few people are prepared to wrestle a bright white screaming number '3' until it shuts up, my role as the artist is to draw others a map so they can find their own way, at their own pace.
Curious ones like me deserve to know the very same joy I felt when the numbers really did add up in real life.
The price has gone up since. That grocery store receipt is a photo in time.

nutrition label on back + QR code > portfolio
portfolio artwork label
plug-in + warm + chile oil = sensory smells appetizing
audiobook record
fill empty spot in composition, date stamp + signature = receipt (self checkout)

the receipt

© 2023 Nicholi Noah (nicholinoah.com)
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited.
Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Nicholi Noah and nicholinoah.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.