My Hearts Afloat was an interactive edible installation originally created for Compeung Revisited at Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Centre, December 2011.

The concept was inspired by the Thai Festival Loi Krotong, which includes a practice of make small boats of natural materials, setting your wishes and thanks in them off in the water.

As I was most intrigued by the intersection of tradition, hospitality and exchange, I created a mock up version, making floating biodegradable boats, filled them with seasoned and sauted chicken hearts, set them afloat and offered bystanders to choose one to eat.

I was then invited to set up My Hearts Afloat in front of the Three Kings Monument at the Southeast Asian Children’s Festival in January 2012.

Photos by Waewwow Delafole