The installation Little Free Space Time Continuum includes a story book bearing the same title. Like the text of the story, the installation is designed to feel as though one is at a crossroads between our world and the fictional world of the book. Physical manifestations of aspects of the book are included in the installation to position the viewer within the text enabling them to encounter, touch and experience some the same things as the characters in the story.

The story Little Free Space Time Continuum is inspired by the suddenness of existence and the uncertainty, confusion and joy involved in being alive. The characters and introspective concepts within the story are inspired by the landscapes, animals, plants, signage and other elements I have encountered on trail runs and bikes rides, time spent meditating and time spent with my pet cats. The tortoise is inspired by tortoises I have met in the Tucson Mountain Park on Brown Mountain and the Max Shemwell Trail. The likeness of the Tortoise is fashioned after Cecil—Robert Villa’s pet Sonoran Desert tortoise. The rendering of the Lizard is molded from those I have met in the Southwest, as well as a conglomerate of images on the internet. The image of the CosmiCat / Moon Cat is shaped from my brother’s and my pet cats, Juniper and Hazel.

The story contains metaphors of coming to understand and accept all parts of oneself. The characters within the story represent various facets of one’s personality and other beings one might meet throughout life. The Tortoise in the story embodies introspection, connection to community, seeking a sense of direction and feelings of uncertainty. The Lizard exemplifies a sense of calm, maturity and the unconscious mind. The CosmiCat / Moon Cat represents feelings of bliss, curiosity and confidence. The story conveys that focusing on attaining a definitive meaning to life and desiring experiences to have an explicit point can lead to frustration. The story suggests that peace can be found in focusing on what we have. And what we have—it is a cliché to say—is the moment and who are with us in the moment. And a sense of understanding can arise from allowing ourselves to experience the moment. Or, written in the words of the story:

They say to you, “Listen: I know that what you want is the plot, but all that you have got are the details.”

A cloud says, “Here’s the plot / here’s the point: water. Water like perception. I mean, precipitation.”

Another cloud far away calls out, “What you want is the plot? What you’ve got is hot. You are hot. Hot as the weather.”

In the heat, the details melt. What have we got then?

I am grateful to my many mentors and peers at the University of Arizona who supported and advised me in the creation of this project. So many, I fear I will leave someone out if I name names, so I will leave it to the universal you. Thank you to my friends in the Halophyte Collective who provided feedback on the text of the story. Thank you to my partner, Kevin, who directed me to Rainer Maria Rilke who wrote, “And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now,” which inspired the last words of the story—You live the plot to find out.