sense lab 1:
tactility & taste
January 13, 2024 | El Pescadero BCS, Mexico @El Campo
In this inaugural Sense Lab, we were curious to see what happens when we connect and transmit communication with each other through food and touch.
We spend a lot of time learning to connect with ourselves through contemplative practices on mats and cushions, and in our bodies as individuals. When we interface with the "world", touch can become an elusive tool, often reserved only for intimate relationships. However, the power of mindful touch - touch being one of our most telling innate senses- can transform communication, and allow us to light up the wisdom of our other senses… including taste.
PAZ MENTAL I honor you, My heart is full. MANO A MANO * I LOVE TO CONNECT MANO A MANO WITH HUMANS. I believe in (giving) more than receiving– Never mind, I liked giving better.Nevermind again. It’s too great. I feel love in this room Free pickles entwined in sauce, Feeling so much love for a stranger THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING ME More touch! CLUMSY! Calmly frustrated and curious Giving me the freedom to completely relea
Documentary Photography
by: Léon Jorge and Paz Fotoss
the experience
Jenna Barnes
Jenna Barnes is a master chef who works in the wild and in situ to build plant-based dinners and food experiences from a radically local foodshed with a global narrative.
Her herbal wisdom collaborates with a lifetime of working to nourish people resulting in interactive experiences that foster community, full of storytelling, qualities of the plants, and unusual recipes that build taste into history.
She has been studying the flora and fauna of Southern Baja for many years. Learn more at parakaloprovisions.com.
Nica Celly
Nica Celly is an artist and designer who connects disparate practices to build a common understanding and equanimity across disciplines.
She has been studying and practicing yoga (tantric Shaivist lineage, 500+ certified, nearly 1008 complete) for over 25 years, holds an MFA in textiles from California College of the Arts, and works across the fields of contemplative studies and mid-life established practitioners to connect mastery of their craft to emerging audiences.
Learn more about her here, at nicacelly.com, and nicolemarkoff.com.
words
After each exploration of tactility with people they knew or didn't know, participants were asked to write a few words of reflection on their experience...
this is what emerged:
PAZ MENTAL I honor you, My heart is full. MANO A MANO I LOVE TO CONNECT MANO A MANO WITH HUMANS. I believe in (giving) more than receiving– Never mind, I liked giving better. Nevermind again. It’s too great. I feel love in this room Free pickles entwined in sauce, Feeling so much love for a stranger THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING ME More touch! CLUMSY! Calmly frustrated and curious Giving me the freedom to completely release my own hold, An honor to offer my energy and strength Cooperation Patience, bliss, and reluctance Openness, caution gracious strength Subtle, soft, care Familiar friend became even more familiar Genuine kind intention and intuitive sweetness. Beautiful communication Received with care, love, and communication Humor! Thank you Patience, bliss, and reluctance Openness, caution Communication, trust openness Desire to do well & connect Attentive and caring, Allow yourself to let go Release, let go Loosen the bind Rock steady Tend ease in the flow of the breath Relajase en la paz Deepening love presence Feliz de vivido mi premiere experiencia, liberada Adoration, reverence Care sweetness Appreciation Awe Center Strength in softness I felt in rhythm with my person, our breaths moving together, her inhale and exhale guiding my movement of her. Thank you, A*****. I honor you. Thank you for entrusting your body being into my care. My heart is full. I feel so relaxed and open and connected and grateful. <3 thank you, C***** Subtlety of touch, of connection, flow Contentment, Pleasure Gentleness Appreciation Brilliance Radiance Tenderness Care Appreciation Respect Choreography of connection Massage, received. Thank you, A****
about the artists
Jenna Barnes
Jenna Barnes is a master chef who works in the wild and in situ to build plant-based dinners and food experiences from a radically local foodshed with a global narrative.
Her herbal wisdom collaborates with a lifetime of working to nourish people resulting in interactive experiences that foster community, full of storytelling, qualities of the plants, and unusual recipes that build taste into history.
She has been studying the flora and fauna of Southern Baja for many years. Learn more at parakaloprovisions.com.
Nica Celly
Nica Celly is an artist and designer who connects disparate practices to build a common understanding and equanimity across disciplines.
She has been studying and practicing yoga (tantric Shaivist lineage, 500+ certified, nearly 1008 complete) for over 25 years, holds an MFA in textiles from California College of the Arts, and works across the fields of contemplative studies and mid-life established practitioners to connect mastery of their craft to emerging audiences.
Learn more about her here, at nicacelly.com, and nicolemarkoff.com.
Gratitude to DJ Aberella, chef Hannah Maldonado, artist Fabiana Burr, sound master Kari Schein, Annie Parr & El Campo, photographers Leon Jorge and Paz Foots, and all of the participants who created such a beautiful experience.
It takes a community to make these happenings happen.
an exporation of breath & form, of presence & movement, of expansion in practice