Lost in Translation
August 20th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
PAUL+A. – featuring Deborah Light and Laura Jenkins as A.
A companion artwork to ‘I Watched Her until She Disappeared’.
‘Unreliable Truths’ exhibition, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea, September 2008 (DL)
National Museum of Wales Cardiff, September 2009 (LJ)
Glynn Vivian Art Gallery.
On receipt of this postcard men are invited to participate in the above named PAUL+A project. Your instructions should you choose to comply are to search tonight’s event for the woman in the portrait entitled ‘Portrait of A – 168 blows’, which hangs in the gallery. If you find her you are to approach her, touch her on the shoulder and quietly tell her you are sorry. This will be followed by a whispered confession, a personal apology perhaps on your behalf to a particular woman you know, symbolic reparation for some injustice you may have done her in the past. This enigmatic stranger will silently hear your confession.
The truth content of your confession is your own decision. If you don’t feel able to confront your personal situation you could ask for forgiveness for your brothers around the world who do transgress against women. It will be received as a gesture. No names will be exchanged and A will keep your secret. A will not be abused. If she doesn’t want to hear anymore she will walk away.
A will be accompanied by a paparazzi photographer, who will photograph each encounter on 5×4 polaroid film. If you wish to be seen in the photograph, approach from the back and speak over her shoulder, or alternatively you can approach from the front. On participation you will take ownership of a 5×4 polaroid photograph of yourself whispering to a beautiful stranger, which will be installed in the gallery. This image will represent your apology. It can be exchanged for a black and white print on the closing day of the exhibition. Your photograph may appear in a final edited artwork and by undertaking this task it is understood that you give permission for your image to be used in publication.
Thank you from PAUL+A. - featuring Deborah Light.
Lost in Translation. - is inspired by the last scene of the film of the same name.
National Museum of Wales.
PAUL+A featuring Laura Jenkins.
‘Portrait of A – 168 blows’
“Deborah is kneeling in the white dress that Maria wore in the cell,I’m kneeling opposite her with my 5×4 camera on my knee. Over an hour the 168 portraits of Maria tick by on the computer behind me, and Deborah watches. The music is playing softly. As each portrait ‘disappears’ she rips a hole in the dress with a 2″ silver nail. When the cycle is complete we take this portrait. I’m reminded of Ann Darrow and King Kong.”
