Our Trace of Time

Disguised as a three-course meal, a series of carefully curated questions guide guests on an emotional journey of introspection and gratitude. Closing the experience, an unexpected trace of time is revealed.

The initial video produced for the first version of Our Trace of Time (2017)
Directed, edited, and music compose by myself.

Credits

My role: Creator, Art Director
Client: Various
Producer: Flower Shop Collective

Artful Facilitation

An anniversary, first-date, reunion—though these special occasions are familiar gatherings to many, more often conversations run shallow and words of gratitude are shyly neglected. Created with the purpose to offer opportunity for people to spend time more meaningfully, Our Trace of Time is an artful dining experience that discreetly guides guests on a conversational journey.

Produced with the Flower Shop Collective, I not only design the emotional progression of the thematic questions, but also art direct and design the environment and print materials.

Whilst evolving my original themes or developing new ones, I always start with writing a purpose for the gathering. The purpose subsequently guides the progressional design of the question. Thus far with various partners—The Carty Group, Cafe con Libros, The Qi— I have evolved and developed three different themes.

Nostalgia

Recalling shared memories. For familiar pairs who have shared some history.

Two clear glass cups with a small feather in one, casting shadows on a white tablecloth.

Un-Small Talk

Sewing new connections. For unfamiliar pairs who are getting to know one another.

Assorted seeds and spices on a white plate

Shape

Acknowledging the rocks have that shaped oneself, for a gatherer and three companions.

The Journey

Using the imagery from Nostalgia, the following section tells the emotional journey and shows the design of Our Trace of Time. In accordance to the gathering theme, each guest is prompted to thoughtfully select a companion(s) to join them for a guided dining experience.

At the experience, a poem greets the guests at the table, emotionally preparing them for the experience. The backside of the poem is the Menu. Each titled-dish represents a question that will be served. I walk guests through the dishes of the prix fixe menu, and take their entrée orders.

All photography by Jenny Regan.

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Person pouring water from kettle into glass pitcher on table
Person placing a white ceramic bowl on a table with sunlight casting shadows.

While guests wait for the tea to brew, they begin “dining” on their question. Each question is uniquely folded in relation to the progression (see below).

Person pouring tea from a clear teapot into a bowl with a friend sharing the moment.
Two people sitting on cushions with a low table, dining setup, natural light, minimalist room.

In this partnership with The Qi, whole flower healing tea is served and introduced at the start of each course. *Questions are plated and served.

*Note: In future collaborations with chefs, food will be served with the questions.

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Three people sitting cross-legged on cushions around a low table, engaged in conversation in a minimalist room with a wooden floor.

Time visualized

At the end of the three-course meal, I close the experience by walking them back through the emotional journey they just experienced—the conversational progression* from the appetizer, to the core entrees, then finally the dessert. They gifted each other their time, and our gift is their co-created artwork, their unique Trace of Time.

*The progression of each theme is told differently.

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Along with the guests’ co-created artwork, the custom-made receipt—which I used to take their entree orders—is also gifted. The same poem that started the meal is printed on the back to close the experience.

Three people sitting around a table with a white canvas and black ink spots, in a well-lit room with plants and a window.
Brown envelope with a beige card labeled 'Our Trace of Time: Nostalgia' featuring handwritten notes and details, tied with twine.
Person folding white fabric into a brown paper folder on a wooden floor.

In Their Words

  • Kelly

    “[Our Trace of Time] was really a session of gratitude and being able to reflect on the time that we’ve had together not only today, but in our whole relationship.”

  • Yoyo

    “I took away the feeling of slowing down and letting an idea and...conversation steep and ruminate...Having the tea was also a nice reminder of the passage of time. As the tea grew stronger, our conversations grew deeper.”

  • Kat

    “It was...a reminder that the people in our lives that we take the most for granted [are] the ones that we really need to cherish and appreciate.”

  • Deb & Laura

    “[Our Trace of Time] reaffirmed the value of our friendship.”

    “...it was very much a time to appreciate what we’ve brought to each other’s lives, and will continue to bring into each other’s lives.”

Three people sitting at a small table with snacks, viewed from above, with text about experience and connection below.

“[Our Trace of Time] is looking to recreate everyday social situations under the lens of art and is revolutionary in the manner that spectators are permitted to participate in and affect the resulting performance.”

– Allie Marotta, No Proscenium

Past Partnerships

The Uncommon @The Irish Society
June 12, 2019
One evening, 12 sessions, 24 guests. (Sold Out)

Cafe con Libros
June, 2019
3 Sundays, 12 sessions, 24 guests. (Sold Out)

The Qi, Sponsor
November 9, 2019
One day, 10 sessions, 20 guests. (Sold Out)