In 2024, they banned women’s right to abortion. We responded with plants—symbols of autonomy—spray-painted in places women will see. Each herb carries a history rooted in women’s fight for control over their bodies. This is personal. This is our resistance.
Each mugshot and each fabricated charge reflects the absurdity of criminalizing our bodies and choices. This site blurs fiction and reality, mirroring how laws reduce acts of resistance into offenses against the state. What was once a deeply personal act—exercising control over our own bodies—is redefined as criminal behavior. Through these false charges, we challenge the notion that resistance can be confined to legal definitions. We’re asking why the state’s control over our lives can be protected, while our personal autonomy is branded illegal. By creating this mock government record, we not only question the validity of these ‘crimes’ but highlight the dissonance between what is labeled as criminal and what is simply an act of reclaiming power and agency.
Each graffiti piece features botanical herbs—Queen Anne's Lace is mine. Mugwort, Thuja, Queen Anne's Lace, and Safflower are the others. These are plants historically used by women to take control over their bodies, particularly for reproductive health. Queen Anne's Lace, also known as wild carrot, has a long history of use in women's reproductive health, particularly as a contraceptive and abortifacient. Ancient Greek and Roman texts document its seeds being used to prevent pregnancy, often referred to as a "morning-after" remedy. This practice relied on the plant's chemical compounds, which were believed to disrupt implantation in the uterus. Women in various cultures also used it to manage fertility and, in some cases, to induce abortion. These uses highlight the plant's role in empowering women to control their reproductive choices long before modern medicine, though it carries risks and should not be used without medical guidance.
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In the post-arrest interrogation-style video, we present our truth. Each of us answers questions about our actions—not as criminals, but as individuals acting in response to an unjust system. The interrogation serves as a platform for us to assert that our resistance is not a crime, but a statement of personal and collective autonomy. We don’t seek to justify or deny our actions; we make it clear that reclaiming control over our bodies is not something to be criminalized.
We made an Instagram page to document and archive our work. Each post serves as a record of the graffiti, the herbs, and the message behind them, allowing the work to reach a wider audience. This account is more than just an online gallery—it’s a platform for our collective statement and an extension of our resistance.
8 Followers, 1 Following, 6 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Fatigued, disturbed Acts (@petal_vandals)
The vandalism acts as simulation and creation of a fictional story around it. The idea is to create a fake Miami-Dade website where we publish our mugshots, along with a mock news video and some "found footage" of us staging the vandalism. The act of vandalism we envision for this project centers on the use of glitter and glue in public spaces as a way of getting across a thought-provoking message about society. This relates conceptually to the "guerrilla girls" in that they took bold, almost subversive approaches to raising awareness about key issues. The final proposal with all accompanying materials will be collated and presented in the original document itself.
Description: We'll build a large plywood structure for the public to engage with, offering materials like pens, markers, spray paint, and tools for them to use freely. We'll document how people alter the structure over time and observe their reactions to the content displayed on it. The goal is to explore public opinion on current political issues through this interactive process.
Description: We'll set up a large canvas in a public space for a group to freely create on together using various materials. Over time, the process will become more intense, reflecting our shared frustration and anger about the current political climate in the United States. This includes issues like the failure of Amendment 4 and the ongoing banning of books in public schools.
Description: We plan to have multiple canvases displaying information about topics and things like new rules, political discussions, and well-known leaders. These will be placed in different areas around Wynwood to get people’s attention. Once people have had a chance to see and interact with them, we’ll gather the displays and use them for a larger project.
“Art for the 21st century is the same as its always been- it is never the same.”
COMMENT
This quote stands out to me because it captures the idea that art is always changing but stays true to its purpose. I chose it because it shows how art evolves with the times while still being about expression and connection. I think the quote is very true. In the 21st century, art has changed a lot with technology and new ideas, but it still reflects human experiences and emotions, just like it always has. I relate to this because I’ve seen how new tools and ways of creating, like digital art or AI, bring fresh ideas but still aim to make people think or feel something. My experiences with both classic art and modern works have shown me that even though styles and methods change, the heart of art stays the same. The quote reminds me that change is part of what keeps art alive and meaningful.
QUESTION
Do you think the constant change in art makes it more meaningful and relevant to modern life, or does it risk losing its connection to timeless human experiences? For example, with new technologies like AI creating art, does this expand what art can be, or does it take away from the human touch that defines art? How do you see these changes shaping the way we value or understand creativity?
After coming up with our sentence, we made stickers out of blue painter's tape and looked for spots with graffiti to put them up. At first, it was hard to find any graffiti on campus, which made us talk about how FIU feels so plain and controlled, with little room for creative expression. We ended up going to the nature preserve and saw graffiti on some trees. As we went deeper into the preserve, away from the clean and controlled campus, we found a space where people seemed to freely express themselves. Even though the graffiti hurts the environment, it felt like a way for students to connect and let go. After finishing the filming, we decided to make the video more meaningful by including shots of our tattoos. Overall, it was really cool to bring together different ideas from everyone on the team to make this project.
