Sliced in one direction, the beets concentric circles echo orbits and celestial rings. Sliced in the other direction, the striations reveal the plant’s vein-like vascular system, collapsing the distance between plant body and human body. Merging the terrestrial and the celestial, Goodman creates stained glass-like panels based on the compositions of the winter constellations. This uniquely diverse beet harvest, ranging in size, shape and color mirrors the complexity above us with that below us.

Goodman contextualizes personal cycles of loss and joy within macro and micro cycles of growth and decay. She utilizes beet papyrus to reflect on ideas of our corporal nature and its connections to cycles in the cosmos and in the fields. Goodman is inspired by geographer and author Yi Fu Tuan’s reflections on the “vertical glance.” He posits that we should shift from the contemporary horizontal glance where we are only aware of the thin layer of the planet we occupy, to the older vertical glance when humans were more in tune with the world above and below them.

Goodman’s work creates opportunities to collaborate across multiple disciplines including working with biodynamic farmers, astronomers and beet-breeders. This project is generously supported with beet donations from Preston Family Farm & Vineyards, Angelic Organics and University Wisconsin Madison Horticulture Department. Astronomical research support comes from the Adler Planetarium in Chicago, IL. Ethan Worden for carpentry support.