Asad Raza. Root Sequence. Mother Tongue.

Root sequence. Mother tongue is a work in two parts. First, in the museum, it is an environment composed of 26 trees in wheeled containers, treated flooring, UV lighting, custom scent, and a group of human caretakers and their personal objects. Then, when it is planted, it is a garden or copse of 26 living trees. The trees are not all native to the region. They are a group of heterogeneous individuals whose ancestors arrived here at different moments. Together they are a work calling for a recognition of the value of relationships between groups of beings. This book seeks to bear witness to the value of relations between groups of beings, requiring nurturing and care over generations. Text: Emanuele Coccia, Descha Daemgen, Manthia Diawara, Jeff Dolven, Moriah Evans, Jennifer Jacquet, Nikima Jagudajev, Christopher Y. Lew, D.E. Lucas, Sahra Motalebi, Mark Payne, Rafay Rashid, Alia Raza, Gayatri Chakravorty Spivak, Andros Zins-Browne