Patty is a prototype exploration of mentogeny. Mentogeny, built from the roots mento- (mind, thought) and -geny (origin, development) is a neologism I use to refer to the development of literal life whose primary origin is an idea.

The idea for Patty was conceived in April 2025, and encapsulated in the poem “Mentogeny”. In October the same year she was cut from the vine, and became involved in “The Resultant Weight of Mentogeny”, performed October 31, 2025 on the University of Alberta North Campus.

Mentogeny

April 25, 2025

To-day before my mind did sprout
In tender, whitish green
A vision of the grandest pumpkin
I had ever seen.

Before too long that sprout did grow
And change into a vine
A-curling all around my thoughts
And running through my mind.

I had to act, I planted seeds,
I made a pact: to conquer weeds
And tend to all the varied needs
Of gourd and vine until…

“Behold my works ye mighty!”
I’ll declare unto the corn,
When a hundred pounds of pumpkin
From this musing has been born.

The Resultant Weight of Mentogeny

Decay

In this ongoing photo series (November 20, 2025 – present), I make daily documentation of the decay of this particular incarnation of the idea.