The installation I propose for the City Hall site will explore the issues of colonization, assimilation and multiculturalism in terms of the geographic location and man-made boundaries of the city. The interaction between different plant species (both native and alien) growing in a small environment will act as a metaphor for cultural groups coexisting within city limits.

The Native Americans of the WNY region perceived of the geographic site of City Hall as a power point. The site was then developed through the urban planning of Joseph Ellicott, who designated it for the city's strongest municipal structure. Immigration from all parts of the world caused cultural groups to shift from area to area during the rise of the city as the ideal of planned environments. This cultural hot pot necessitated city government to attempt to represent geographically all groups. The City of Buffalo's Common Council was introduced to reflect the diversity of its neighborhoods and to give every area a voice in local government: "The People's Councilors Reflect the People's Will".

The districts of the Common Council, the elected representatives of groups within the city, will act as the map for my environment. I will attempt to grow indigenous plant species and alien plant species in order to visually show the complexity of cultural growth and its socio-political effects in city planning via the metaphor of Nature. Because plants are not always symbiotic in their relationship with alien species, some areas will become overrun with one dominant type; others will be able to grow simultaneously; others will not survive in that area at all. As plant species spread through seed, there will eventually be a migration of species to better areas due to the survival of their offspring there. In order for plants to thrive in close proximity, careful consideration must be taken in their care by the gardener; certain rules must be applied in order for the whole to thrive, as is the idea of city government. Plants are treated similarly to humans in terms of governmental restrictions in certain situations. For example, you cannot bring certain species in or out of the country because they prove dangerous to native ecosystems. These invasive species are contraband, and state governments have strict regulations for them, sometimes listing even how to wipe them out completely. Plants that are confiscated are destroyed, sent back to their country of origin, or placed in a federally designated nature area indefinitely. This is very reminiscent of the fate of suspected terrorists.

The plant beds will be shallow wooden boxes (no more than 8" in height) shaped like each designated council district. There will be space allowed between each bed in order for the viewer to work their way through the "districts". I feel that the large size of the piece, as well as the elements that need to be walked through, express the scale of these issues to the viewer, as well as a proximity to their own daily lives. In order to better illustrate the objective of the project, the walls will be painted white and an abstracted version of district maps will be drawn on them. An interpretive wall text will also be available for viewers, due to the nature of exhibition displaying the results of a process.