Cthonos/Oceanus

I am the eggman. They are the eggmen. I am the walrus.
John Lennon

A time-based art for two. Create two large luminous "eggs" from translucent styrofoam (about 8' high, 4' diam. at the widest), put an amber light inside, provide a human-sized entrance on the back and a small visor on the front. The eggs should be installed in a public space that encourages interaction, such as a cafe or other "hang" space, allowing easy access for those wishing to continue exploration. Two participants (acquainted or not) write an everyday message, a fragment of conversation and display it on the fronts of their respective eggs. To create a message: attach words, stamped into small (1-2" x 3-4") thick metal plates, on the front, in a jagged, fragmented way, clustered near the egg's center, first words higher than the last. For example, "Hey, Trina, haven't seen you around in a while." The spoken words are a coherent sentence, but their fragmentation here points up the autonomous nature of their existence: they perform only as signs, and do not in any configuration convey the infinity without our presumed "self"; the ocean aside the preamble, waiting eternally.

The two participants, after displaying their messages, enter the eggs, read the other's message and reflect on identity, and separation; on the unspoken; on being, and the fragmentary nature of speech. The participants engage in this exercise three times, each instance being at least two weeks apart. Each time, the experience of "double isolation" brings a new understanding of the mediating power of words and perhaps a sense of new possibilities in communication. What do two reasoning people want to say to each other, behind the words? That is the question.

Recovered Spacecraft TBA

The piece: A sculpture in 4-7 parts, placed around the park or the city, that would take days to "see". Abstract black forms half organic-half geometric: pieces that of the internal combustion engine of a rocket ship , circa 1948, all painted dusty black, with signage to tell you what part, and the final piece found in the series (in an obscure place; located with direction from an earlier piece) with brief yet confusing explanation of a space voyage reputed to have taken place in that year; but no mention of the astronauts, sponsor, (private?) or any other useful information. stuff must look old, though. and also look like “art.” Like, cool.

There will be vague intimations of an unexpected outrageous success of this voyage but also a failure on re-entry; while in flight, something transcendent happened , although to this day scientists still can't figure out why (or what). I want to make people believe it actually happened, and also to imagine, decide what actually happened. All their fears, their hopes, their dreams will be tied up in this piece of confusing metal. Then the art is purposely (or not?) vandalized, messed up and dutifully removed by the city (not) that put it up (also not; we did). After which a local paper runs a story about it, ending with a call for info: anyone who knows anything more about the supposed flight is to write in their memories or knowledge, which will be printed up. I want to see what happens then! After those pieces are published you can admit the whole thing. Or not.

By this time , the sculpture is complete. Took a while, did it?

reponse: realself@hotmail.com