Wish you were here: appendixes for an art show

Posted by Joel's secretary at 6 Jun 2008
Categories: uncategorized
Appendix A:  My parents, relational aesthetics, and Relational Aesthetics

In the course of my research for the work in this show it became evident that I needed to read Relational Aesthetics, Nicolas Bourriard's seminal text concerning methods of artistic production "which take as their theoretical and practical point of departure the whole of human relations and their social context, rather than an independent and private space."  I was unable to obtain a copy in South Africa, so I had a copy mailed to my parents' house in Arkansas and asked them to read it for me and pass on any pertinent information.  The following is my mother's response, which I'm pretty sure is better than the book.

Dear Joel,
 
This may be the hardest thing you have asked me to do.  Reading this book has made me feel like I was back in Jr. High and struggling with geometry.  That was the only time I remember your father getting frustrated with me, as he tried to tutor me to a passing grade.
 
I must confess that Relational Aesthetics is a book I have struggled to read and I am only half-way thru. The subject is one I don't understand and most of the words are beyond me, even with the glossary in the back.  I find myself looking for things to do, ironing, vacuuming, dusting etc..., instead of reading.  And that makes me feel guilty because your request is a simple one and I want to understand what draws you to this form of art.  I look forward to sitting across from you as you try to explain what I have read. 
 
This is not "art" to me.  Although I am sure you already know that!  Maybe its my conservative, small-town, bible-belt upbringing that only allows me to view art a certain way.  Why is rigging chairs in a cafe to play music after a certain amount of people sit down art and not a science or behavioral project?  What is the "artist" hoping to convey?  Is this a from of art that only a few will ever understand?  Will I ever understand it?
 
Whether I do or don't I am so proud of you for following your heart and not conforming to your upbringing as I did.  Your fearless example is leading me to look at my life and the world around me in a new way.
 
I love you,
mom
 
Appendix B:  Crime in South Africa

A survey...compiled by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ranked South Africa second for assault and murder (by all means) per capita and first for rapes per capita, worldwide. Total crime per capita is 10th out of the 60 countries in the dataset.
-source

Appendix C:  Orange

The color orange (or saffron) is associated in India with holy pilgrims.  In order to identify themselves pilgrims often wrap themselves in orange robes and may carry triangular orange flags with them on their journeys to holy sites, which are draped in strings of orange flags and banners.  On the Indian national flag the orange band at the top represents both courage and sacrifice, two qualities of the pilgrim.
-source

Appendix D:  Nobody Wants to be Lonely

as performed by Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera, written by Gary Burr with lyrics by Victoria Shaw

Why, why, why
Oh ooh ohh

There you are, in a darkened room
And you're all alone, looking out the window
Your heart is cold and lost the will to love
Like a broken arrow
Here I stand in the shadows
In the shadows
Come to come, come to me
Can't you see that

(chorus)
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry
My body's longing to hold you
So bad it hurts inside
Time is precious and it's slipping away
And I've been waiting for you all of my life (ohh)
Nobody wants to be lonely
So why (why), why don't you let me love you
Why (ooh ohh yeah), why (oh why), why

Ooh ooh, yeah

Can you hear my voice, do you hear my song
It's a seranade, so your heart can find me, ohh
And suddenly you're flying down the stairs
Into my arms, baby, ohh
Before I start going crazy
Going crazy, ohh
Run to me
Run to me
Cause I'm dying...

(chorus)

Why, why don't you let me love you
I wanna feel you need me
Feel you need me
Just like the air you're breathing
Breathing, I need you here in my life
Don't walk away, don't walk away
Don't walk alway, don't walk away
No, no, no, no...
Nobody wants to be lonely
Nobody wants to cry...yeah yeah

(chorus x2)

Why (why), let me love you
Why don't you let me love you
Why, love you, let me love you

Appendix E:  Drawings after (and before) an installation: Pilgrim's Progress


 

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