Heavy Petting. A durational, site-specific, public participatory performance piece using two large seal skins pelts and two people. When presented, two participants are invited to wear pelts as vest, and are encouraged to embrace to feel the softness of each others hide. Conceptually, this work evolved when considering the spirit of the pelts in thinking about what purpose they could service.  As an artist committed to community and creating opportunities for people to connect, I realized that the intention of the pelts should be bring people closer together through the act of embrace.