For the next ten days or so, I will be participating in Adrian Piper's performance piece, "Everything #10." Earlier today I had the phrase EVERYTHING WILL BE TAKEN AWAY written in henna on my forehead in capital letters. I was a bit nervous. And I only want it to last for several days, not for weeks. And it turns out that the "away" slants upwards a little bit. But still, it's been an interesting experience.
Even just getting it done was interesting. I felt like I was making a commitment, no matter how temporary. Also it was quite an intimate experience to have the henna artist so close, face to face. I'm rarely that close to another human being unless it's someone I know quite well.
An important thing to know about the tattoo is that it is written backwards. It can only be read in the reflection of a mirror (or, of course, store window, puddle, etc). And so, really, this piece is not public in the sense that it will mean anything to those who see me. It really only has meaning for me as I look at my reflection. And, because this is New York, I've hardly been given an odd glance by other pedestrians, cashiers, or anyone else. But more on that later.
I was asked by a filmmaker when getting tattooed what the phrase meant to me. Initially my thought was "the present moment." But I think it's more than that and hope to clarify that idea some in the coming days. Perhaps it has more to do with concentrating on what's important. Or, perhaps, not letting the trivial things get me down. After all, life is but a dream. And everything will be taken away. Sooner or later.
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