Armory Show Notes, Unedited and Without Reflection

Daniel Ratcliff Unt (rent app superimp)

Brenna Youngblood

Marc Francis -- Trojan
(photo)   ?  delinitation
                   music
                   points
                   location

WHEN WILL TONY OURSLER DO SOMETHING ELSE?

Tom Thayer "paint + puppet strings"
                 stage set
Alyson Shotz "weaving"
             pinheads and white thread

By-passing Hirst -- fuck that prick

Any time I see a painting on the floor, I want to kick it.

John Baldessari
         Missing Examples 1-6
           board overlaid on
B/W photos -- movie sets?
             Gaps in crowd
                     -- missing info
                          -- people or things?
                          -- action?
                          -- is missing the
                              focus of crowd?

               -- misinformation?
               -- known v. unknown?
               -- Relative importance?

               -- dichotomies/dualities?

(1) left + rt flanks face
middle (removed)
          smiling, waving
                      -- parade?
WHERE? (Hotel de la Bourse
                   1930s? 40s?)

K Johnson

     tracing imperial decay over
     BA wait room

             (Julie Mehretu?)

line drawing
                              -- coded?
                              -- historical
                              -- alpha/num systems
                                         -- traceable history?

                    -- mapping
                    -- architectural remnants?
                               -- allusion

B/A logo representational
   -- symbology
   -- allusion/illusion

           -- types of economies
                     -- monetary
                     -- emotional
                     -- political

white on black -- ghostly or overlay
of history onto "nothing"
       -- suggests failure erasure/collapse
       -- deconstruction/renew cycle

3d vanish pt -- disapp to rt
               -- signify to RIGHT?

               -- off center?
               -- symmetry vs. balance?
                             -- literal?
                             -- pictorial
                             -- figurative
                             -- literary?

email Suzanne re: drawing
_____________________________________________________________

Abigail Reynolds
           cut + folded vintage book plates

Daffodil field cut away to
              unemployment protest (80s?)

Torquay beach cut away to
                  floral pool?
Riverbank + 3d cut out
           Rows of hay bails
           + theater stage?

_____________________________
Marlborough Gallery Chelsea              

John Komer
   Helle, Cherie, Jasmine 2011
_________________________________________________

Max Wigram Gallery (603)
             -- book covers + title pages

Jose Disilva
    A  Brief History of Sculpture
            photos of sculpture on site
            are cut out of photo
____________________________________________________

IRRITATING CONVERSATIONS
FROM BITCHY PRIMA DONNAS EVERYWHERE

-- self indulgent
-- self absorbed

OMG! I'M AN ART MAJOR!

Jose Disilva
      Untitled
      cardboard boxes
      recut + hung as Judd's

             [____]

             [____]

             [____]

             [____]

             [____]

sport brand names
         Depends, Karo, Bimbo
         Pinol, Roma, Coraflex, Mattel
         Ajax, Great Value

-- permanence vs. decay of
            materials?
same statement possible?
           -- not minimalism?

           -- to compare to Judd

                   Quality of material?

                         ?  size, scale
                                 exactness?

innocuous becomes obvious

elevation
of material?
of form?
attack on past?

Tobias Burnstrup
           Hope

           Urban Decay

                    -- which "Hope"?

___________________________________________________________

Ward Shelley
              -- timelines

    Fluxus --
          makes you think:
                Powhida, what an asshole


(Darmstadt Circle
for Concrete Poetry)
____________________________________________________________

Edward Burtynsky
           Pivot Irrigation # 19


Rachel Lee Hounanian
   Dinner for Two: Wedding Cake
             -- projected images
                 across dinner table
                 messaging and playing
                         games --
                               see only their faces

-- smell sugar of cake
-- mouse "eating" cake

formailty of setting
               juxtaposed by poor social skills
                             -- lack of engagement

                             (lack of) engagement
                                       -- relevant?
                                                    -- wedding?
_________________________________________________________

Greasy curators never disappear

Michael Wolf -- Architecture
                       of Destiny

Garlak Gallery
        (purple solar system)
_______________________________________________________________

"ours is a rare form of
emotional contagion, fiercely
guarding the lost
tongues  of old souls"
______________________________________

AFRO EINSTEIN
______________________________________

"Whoever said less is
more figured it out
 a lot faster than I did"

I need all day to read
the Fluxus history

Leandro Erlich
         Captive Reflection 2013

                        -- Adam's Okno?

window > imagery

I Wish

That I had been more daring in my twenties.
That I stayed in London.
That I attended Candace's wedding and the Graduate Show 2008.
That I shipped my chair home.
That I had been more fun as a big sister.
That I remained a voracious reader.
That I pursued writing.
That I had space and opportunity to pursue research.
That I could talk with Martin more.
That the perfect job would fall into my lap.
That visa laws were more flexible.
That nations of the world considered all of us global citizens.
That I had worn more sunscreen.
That I liked wearing my glasses.
That I could motivate to walk more often.
That I liked to work out.
That it was easy to write a cover letter or self appraisal.
That I had local friends.
That I was more creative.
That I could stop trying.

I Decline to Participate

I was in the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum today where the main exhibition is United States.  The theme of national identity is only one theme employed by artists' work here and the broader concepts of united and states are what underlie this exhibition.  While I was looking around I could occasionally hear bits of a recording of children reciting the US Pledge of Allegiance and it got me thinking just how much I hate those phrases.  Let me tell you why.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands; one nation under God, indvisible with liberty and justice for all.

I pledge allegiance to the flag...
To the flag?  What about to the people, the citizens?  Nowhere in this pledge is there a vow to commit to the people of the nation.  We will pledge to a piece of cloth.  Less abstractly, to the Republic for which it stands.  I mean get the fuck out.  A republic is a governmental construct through which the people are represented and which acts as the forum for addressing the people's problems and institutes good policy to improve their lives and protect their rights.  Or should, anyway.  That's all nice and good but again that is not about making a commitment as a citizen to honor and respect the rights and lives of all citizens -- of all peoples who comprise the population.  This phrase is about generic loyalty to a government construct as if  the government is the purpose of the people when in reality, the people are the purpose behind good governance. 

one nation under God...
Now this is plain false.  Since the point has been made frequently enough, I will refrain from the details about the addition of this phrase coming in the 1950s.  Let's just review for one quick minute here, however, that this is not a nation under any god.  How do I know?  I've read the Constitution.  And while I am no scholar on the matter, I have read a little into some history about the views of the founders and their desire that matters of religion and faith be separate from public life, government activity, and not used as a measure for civic engagement.  Yeah, there was some disagreement on this but the fact remains this is not a nation founded on any belief in any god.

Further, to use this belief as a measure of one's civic engagement is improper.  If I go to work, pay my bills, respect the law, respect my neighbors none of that counts because I don't believe in a god?   So much for that commitment to the people of the nation.  Oh, right.

indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Unless you lived under a rock for the last four years you should know this simply isn't true.  Look at the political rhetoric against anyone who isn't white, against women, against Muslims and atheists, et cetera ad nauseum, and there's no way you can think there isn't a popular desire to divide and conquer.  Private, local militias are growing, domestic terror continues, hate groups gain popularity, racism has increased even among young persons, bullying, the "religious" using their dictates to persecute gays and immigrants, blah blah blah.  Indivisible.  Ha! 

Liberty and justice are a laugh.  To use just one example, let's look at the recent year of voter obstruction as practiced by the Republican party.  Members, pundits, elected officials have actually gotten on television and said out loud, to a national audience that they essentially want to reisnstate Jim Crow.  "Yes" is the answer when multiple party officials are asked if voter ID laws would have helped Romney get elected.  Some have even stated the party wasn't aggressive enough on this and that is why the reds lost the election.  And for all their misinformation about socialism and the rise of fascism under Democrats, suppressing the right to vote is a fascist tactic.  So, by the way, is factless propaganda.  It's not all Republicans who want to keep certain people from voting and it's not only Republicans who want it.  Plenty of home grown "revolutionaries" want the same thing -- and worse, they want to remove "undesirables" from society entirely.

How about an economic system that unfairly disenfranchises black and hispanic citizens?  How about a prison system that works in tandem with this economic structure to ensure that these people are targeted and incarcerated at disproportionately higher rates than white citizens?  Liberty and justice certainly cannot be the driving force behind an educational system that enables children in families of means and leaves behind the poor.  But it works better for the private prison system that there always be an underclass who is more vulnerable to committing crime than getting a good job and being fully engaged in our social life economically, academically, culturally.  Better, too, if they are pigmented so as to be more easily targeted as criminals. 

This pledge offends me.  It is offensive.  It is a petty utterance that does not encourage dedication to one another and makes our current reality seem only more outrageous.  I make no public utterance of it for any reason. 

New Dialogs in Art of the Contemporary

Post modern.  Post modern.  Post modern.  Post modern.  Post Modern.  Post Modern.  Post.  Modern.  Post modern.  Post modern, post modern, post modern, post modern.  Post-modern.  Post modern.  Revisionism.  Post Post Post Post Post Post.  Modern, post.  Ipso, modern.  Post facto.  Post modern.

Post modern, post post post.  Modernist, modernity, modernism.  Past.  Past post.  Post.  Post Modern.  A posteriori.  Posterior.  Behind.  Post modern.  Modern post.  Modernism, concept.  Duchamp.  Cranial posterior situational relativism.  Post post post.  Post post.  Post.

Post modern.  Warhol.  Post modern.  Warhol.  Post modern.  Warhol.  Post modern.  Warhol.
Post modern.  Warhol.  Post modern.  Warhol.  Post modern.  Warhol.  Post modern.  Warhol.
Post modern.  Warhol.  Post modern.  Warhol.  Post modern.  Warhol.  Post modern.  Warhol.
Post modern.  Warhol.  Post modern.  Warhol.  Post modern.  Warhol.  Post modern. Warhol.

Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.  Warhol.

Painterly post painterly post.  Post painterly.  Painted post, modern, post modern.  Post post.  Neo new.  Modernist post modernism.  Post post post modern modern modern.  Post modern.  Post.

Post modern.  Deconstruction.  Post modern.  Fluxus.  Post modern.  Contemporary.  Post modern.  Conceptual.  Post modern.  Relational.  Post modern.  Dialectic.  Post modern.  Mininalism.  Post modern.  Installation.  Post modern.  Performance.  Post modern. 

Post modern.  Post.  Modern.  Post modern.  Post modern post modern post modern post modern.  Post modern. 

Conversation with a co-worker

Him: I was in the diner and this homeless guy was telling his friend about how his girlfriend was murdered and I was, like, uh, I'm trying to eat.
Me: Did you say that to him?
Him: No but it was disgusting. He didn't even order food and I was trying to eat.
Me: So this man was homeless and his girlfriend was murdered and you just made it all about you? And how it wrecked your meal?
Him: Uh, yeah.
Me: That's why I think you're a dick.

Open Letter to a Dick

Hey, Romney, I get a refund every year on my income tax but not on my payroll taxes which, on the average, constitutes about nine percent of a low wage person's pay. I don't get food stamps because I don't pay rent as someone lets me sleep for free in a walk in closet and 15.5k gross annual income makes me too wealthy for MedicAid; the temporary coverage I had came with a high deductible and I could use it only because I needed an expensive procedure that met the threshold. If I qualify for temporary restricted care again, I probably won't be able to use it because a $4,443 deuctible is absurdly high -- and purposely so.  I don't have a full time, full paying job because there are so few available in my field -- so, yeah, I think I am entitled to some government help, you stupid shit.

A Cover Story

I recently sent a cover letter with my resume to an arts space in Harford, CT whose job ad asked for an "interesting cover letter".  What does that mean?  I don't know but here's the letter:

"You have asked for an “interesting” cover letter as part of the submission for the Visual Arts Manager position open at (deleted).  Interesting is such an interesting word.  In fact, dictionary.reference.com defines it as “1. engaging or exciting and holding the attention or curiosity, 2. arousing a feeling of interest,” which I find is not interesting but boring, if accurate.

As it happens, “interesting” is used for a variety of meanings.  When one is uncertain of the quality or value of a subject, “interesting” is often applied.  It is also used sarcastically when a subject is decidedly uninteresting.  And while a person or thing may hold one’s attention, “interesting” is still too ambiguous to explain why one’s attention is held. 

It is curious then that you would choose such a word to describe the type of letter you are seeking from applicants.  I am sure that cover letters are boring and tedious to read – they certainly are that to write.  But wouldn’t you prefer something clever or amusing or creative?  Surely these adjectives better describe the art and programs (deleted) offers to the public, and reflect the manner in which the gallery seeks to connect with the Hartford community.  After all, it is called the “Creative Cocktail Hour.”  Surely, Real Board (Games) is fun and Improvisations are celebratory, not merely interesting. 

And why limit yourself to a selection of “interesting” candidates? Are you unsure of the qualities and experience you seek in such candidates?  Just what do consider interesting in others?  If you are hiring a Visual Arts Manager capable of juggling the daily tasks of the job, curious about art and current events, and eager to engage with the Hartford community then you need someone who is dedicated, creative, intelligent and possessing a fun, lively personality.  I like to think these are the traits that define me and are more specific about my ability and perspective than merely “interesting”.  I would like to work with an arts organization that embodies these traits and hires others who exhibit them which is why I am submitting my resume and cover letter to you.  

I would not be at all interested in working with (deleted).  I would, however, be delighted to work with an organization as exciting and important as yours."

 

I don't know if I will get any response to this but I have applied to this particular center multiple times with no response other than a curt we-said-we'd-let-you-know-if-we-cared when I attempt to follow up.  So this time I sent a risky letter and am not contacting them to see if they read it or have considered meeting me.  I don't really know anyone in that area who is involved with this center so my chances are greatly diminished from the get go -- this is not my excuse -- art is a stingy bitch, I know -- but at this point why not have some fun with this whole job thing?