performed at the KNOCK Literary Journal release Friday night, Dec. 4, 2009.
www.knockjournal.com
in issue #12 I have four small pieces--I started to write 'drawings,' but one is a lino block print on business reply card, one is collage on security envelope and magazine page, one is double-image photocopy glued to a found piece of cardboard, leaving only one business reply card with marks and writing that might fit one's description of a 'drawing.'
The layout of the magazine, by Ed Perkins mostly, practically overshadows the works themselves, with the text from each work amplified larger, shouting obliviously, declarative wherein the works are relatively unassuming. Certainly in size the works are unimposing.
For the performance, I harkened back to a work from thirty years ago, wherein I broke into pieces 7-inch forty-fives over alternating knees, shouting out the Rock-and-Roll Dinosaur Alphabet--Aerosmith, B is for Boston...." I wrote that alphabet after Chris Burden's Atomic Alphabet: ""A is for Atomic, B is for Bomb..." http://www.sfmoma.org/artwork/92
There is a description on a site I stumble across today, daddytypes.com, that perfectly captures the intent of Burden's work--"redirected outrage"--
http://daddytypes.com/2009/06/06/chris_burdens_atomic_alphabet.php
that I attempted in the reading performed for KNOCK.
The Rock Dinosaur Alphabet I did at the Hotel Utah in San Francisco's South of Market area--further south than general traffic, but next door to Trocadero Transfer, where Grace Jones performed "I Need A Man" ascending the Crystal Staircase. Fourth and Bryant, south of the elevated freeway that leads to Bay Bridge and Interstate 80. San Francisco being as time-warped as it is, the Utah is still there
30 years ago, it might have been an SFAI performance night--Monty Thompson might've been another performer.
I'd kill to know where to shop
I'd kill to take that back
I'd kill to have your back
I'd kill for someone to climb on my back
and hold me down
I'd kill to have Harvey Milk
instead of Barney Frank
I'd kill to have had Dan White's address
I'd kill if I thought I'd keep my job
I'd kill to drop a dress size
i'd kill to be her
I'd kill to be me
I'd kill to be in
I'd kill to not have to come out
I'd kill to shut the friggin closet forever
I'd kill to see straights stand up for my rights
I'd kill for the right to be left alone
I'd kill to be alone
I'd kill to take that back
I'd kill to know my way
I'd kill to know what I'm doing here.
