We perceive text in our everyday mostly through instructions or alerts that make us function in systems or structures, knowingly or unconsciously.
Since I started investigating language I made a range of site-specific text-based works. By applying lettering to office, college, gallery and library walls or objects I expose language we collectively recognise from a wider world of work. Rather subtle the interventions repurposing vocabulary; to disturb and challenge, to question what is taken for granted or all too familiar.
Here at Westminster Reference Library I was reading through various Business and Management books to decontextualise statements. I was very welcomed by the library staff that is still excited and wondering of how their Artist-in-Residence links into their Business book section.
I like decontextualising; it is powerful. To cope with reading lots of books in a short time, I use the technique of peripheral reading – basically screening diagonally across page with a focused filter on what phrases will work. Even though it involved plenty of editing I ended up with four books each 50 pages – presenting one sentence each in reference to the position of the page I sourced them from. To say, that having worked in corporate environment makes me highly familiar with the language – and makes me even more enjoying the project!
I had not considered performance as part of my practice and certainly not me performing in it. Although, thinking along the line of my ‘performative’ sculptures I do like the idea of them being performative yet not intending or requiring a physical interaction from the audience. Instead, the key moment lays in the mind of the viewer – the moment of question and triggered thought, temporarily being tempted to act (to pick up a badge, move a pencil etc.).
Working with language suggests written or spoken word. The idea of the reading came in consequently as I wanted to re-present the phrases separated from their specialist source in a more everyday situation. Essential to this work is the collective aspect. The individual experiences institutional systems and structures such as educational, corporate or public settings as part of a group or community. Hence, my plan to arrange a collective reading and invite to read with me. The simultaneous reading is equally adding to my intention – each of the co-reader with slightly different pace, accent and intonation; well minor differences layered in a group of voices. Some comments popping out while others turn the pages yet most statements are layered. The same-time reading generates a mutter of voices. The group consisting of individuals form the collective – a collective voice?
Out of the context most of the statements appear dry, funny, revealing common sense or simply sound absurd-comic.
Dilemmas are relevant.
Priorities are confused.
They constantly speculate.
Occasionally, try smiling.
Accept the bargain.
Most of us can run.
It pays to be good.
Ordinary comments, performative collective reading // participants: Birgitte Aasen, Bettina Fung, Wendy Saunders and Annamaria Kardos
