“Strictly Decorative” is one of a series of 10 participatory artworks produced by NYUAD artists as part of the Open Studios 2019 event. Viewers are challenged to help create temporary sculptures by placing their bodies in interactive relationships with everyday objects. The artistic objective is to reestablish participants’ association with (and thus understanding of) an object and/or space by asking them to hold specific poses for sixty seconds.

For this “living” sculpture participants are to forsake comfort and practicality to embody a flower vase for 60 seconds. In a sitting position with both hands clutching a bouquet of flowers on top of participant’s head. Hands form a perfect “O” as vase handles. With flower stems firmly rooted on top of their head, a participant stays still and concentrated on becoming one with the plants.

Anna produced illustrated instructions for her own and for eight other sculptures.