Much like an anthropologist, multimedia artist Raul Ortega Ayala gains employment in different fields in order to gather information and materials to produce his artwork, which he calls “a group of ‘souvenirs’ or components of a series.” Because his process often takes years to complete, Ayala has worked on three major series to date: the first was titled “Bureaucratic Sonata” (following a period of employment in an office) and features objects like window blinds, fluorescent lights, and office supplies. His second series was produced following two years of work as a gardener; titled “An Ethnography of Gardening,” it made use of grafting techniques and botanical painting. His third and ongoing project is called “Food for Thought” and employs performance, video, and installation to present the cultural and biological complexities of cooking and eating.