This performance art pairs the cutting of onions with the shredding of private documents related to one's job such as 'pink slips', annual performance evaluations, observation write ups, and resumes. Tears can come from cutting onions as part of the preparation and service of the meal. Tears are also shed in laughter and merriment. A job helps put food on the table as does the preparation of onions. There is discouragement and courage, self-doubt and self-esteem. Everyone's dealing with their daily lives. People are encouraged to share their own experiences, prepare food together, have a sip of tea, and join together in conversation, shred their own private documents, and have a new start. Say goodbye to the past; tomorrow is a new day! During July 2012, the exhibition and installation expanded to include a paper chain of 'pink slips' wrapped around the building like a caution tape. "When one loses a job, there is no food on the table, and the home may go into foreclosure."
The wall text for the exhibition inside reads as follows:
Under the natural law of balance, there is protection.
In opposition to hands of the corrupt deceiver,
it is power through our own hands
supporting, healing, giving, reaching, expressing, nourishing.
A 'bad' situation is not necessarily bad; there is opportunity.
A 'good' situation is not necessarily good.
It is a balance of yin and yang.
One door closes; another opens.
