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The piece entitled “30 Cakes” was originally conceived as an interactive experiential performance piece.  The piece was developed by distributing an open call announcement for 30 women who would be interested in volunteering to participate in an art piece. No information about the piece, it’s structure nor it’s intent was distributed or discussed.  When the women arrived at the performance space each was asked to select one of the thirty cakes that were provided.  After chosing a cake the women lined up in the order that corresponded with each cake as it was arranged on the display table.  The cakes each had a single candle, which was lit prior to the art action, and the participants, who ranged in age from 10 to 60 across all ethnic types, were instructed to present me with the cake and allow me to blow out the candle after which they were to remove the candle and do to me what ever they wish with the cake.  The evolution of the actions through the range of participants, (some of whom I knew but many I had never met before) were engaging and varied.  The project was intended for those who participated in the art piece with video serving only as a documentary record of the event.  This piece evolved however and eventually became two pieces one being the art action and the second being this video work. The piece, as it is displayed here, is a time lapsed document of the complete event which was exclusive to the 30 women who participated in it. The comedic and aggressive, nurturing and degrading, explosive and exhaustive event, explored gender roles and social structures, selfless and selfish giving and taking as well as the enhancement or diminishment of ones power through time.