Touch Grass: The Healing Power of Vulnerability
Touch Grass is a project commission by The National Endowment for the Arts and Toledo Arts Commission. In each portrait, the subject lies supine. Their vital organs face the sky. Their vision is occluded by dark glasses.
One of the first things I learned as a kid in Detroit was never sit in a public place with your back to the door. I’ve long understood the burden of hyper vigilance.” “My goal with Touch Grass was to visualize the healing power of vulnerability. I reciprocated my sitters’ trust by arriving with thousands-of-dollars-worth of the tools I use to make a living.
Thee affair was as much social experiment as photography project. It reminded us not only of the healing power of parks, but that even in the most polarizing times, some of our fellow citizens are worthy of trust.
We believe this project reinforces the value of city parks. If you are a municipality that would like to host an installation of this work, please get in touch: noah@thepeopleofdetroit.com