Language Generator -

As a visual artist and a performer, I often rely on developments of motifs and the idea that a piece is not repeatable, but may have a long life of variations. In this regard, i have a several such pieces. I am always developing new work as well, but these pieces may all have a life in variation. I have accumulated a number of such distinct works. "Language Generator" falls into this category. I began this piece in 1983. It was a solo piece, a duet, and ensemble piece, as well as a public workshop project.  It had a duration of anywhere from 6 hours to one week. This is what is done. I enter a gallery space with newsprint paper, markers, scotch tape, and a box of objects. For the duration of the piece, I examine the objects, one at a time, and make a noise to go with it, then, a line or symbol on the paper.  I then post the result on the walls. I move on to the next object, play with it, etc. Other words develop, for them and things to do with them. I use no previous language in this process, so this is a new language. Over the duration of the piece, the gallery turns into a dictionary of the language as it is established. Each performance/ installation of this piece always has its own dynamic and contours. That is why i have done it perhaps 20 or more times. The last time of performed it was in 2003, but recent events in my personal life, specifically a move to Taiwan, and the cultural and language difference i experience there gave me new thought on this project, and made me again curious about the origins of language, and what language is. This project is a means of addressing questions in a simple, unscientific way. I will perform it as solo, but if anyone wishes to join in, it is open to that - it is after all, about communication.

bio: Lewis Gesner has been a performance and visual artist for several decades, and has presented work internationally for some years. He presently lives in the US and Taiwan, and is a Mobius Artist Group member, presently on leave.

Accumulative Interactive Installation in one window @ Mobius started on

facebook via a thread on the Mobius, Inc. page:

"Hello Mobius facebook friends/likers!  Seeking your participation in creating an installation in the window at Mobius called Word Game."

**DEADLINE THURSDAY January 6th, 2011**

TO PLAY: comment to this status with single word + your name

*if you aren't on facebook and you want to play,

send your word + your name to Jane @ mobius.org

Video After the Storm including

This Is Not A F*ing Christmas Tree installation:

http://vimeo.com/18324212
 

View the full photo gallery @ flickr.com

This Is Not A F*ing Christmas Tree One Thing You Hate About 2010

 

THIS IS NOT A F*ING CHRISTMAS TREE

aka

ONE (and only ONE) thing you hated about 2010

featuring hated things by:

William Evertson, LuAnn Palazzo, Kathleen McHugh, Keith Buchholz,

Jennifer Kosharek, Angela Ferrara, three anonymous,

Matthew Rose, Milan Kohout, Betty Esperanza,

Cathy Nolan Vincevic, Ria Vanden Eynde,

Jack Cymber, Margaret Bellafiore, Chelsea Coon,

Ivana Rezek, Eric Ostrander, Jane Wang and Tom Plsek
 

On January 7th some time between the hours of 7pm and midnite,

the installation will be dismantled... and all the hated things destroyed

- the destruction will be documented -

http://www.mobius.org/events/not-fing-christmas-tree