Soon a couple young volunteers offered to help out, and under the “farmer’s” watchful eye continued the collection. Several wheel-barrows filled with the manure were unceremoniously dumped onto the U.S. map. Eventually, the “farmer/artist” gathered a crowd and spoke about the process.
Suddenly, it becomes apparent that this performance is not about a “job” but a reference to Job in the Old Testament. The dung heap takes on new meaning. Those listening are reminded that, even if we, as a nation, have seemed to have lost everything we value, even though we feel we are sitting on the dung-heap at the edge of town (the farmer takes a seat there during the performance), we need not remain here. Visitors are invited to help the farmer/artist lift the U.S. map to dump the manure back onto the field and, together, restore a sense of purpose and pride in our nation and our values.
