Week 4: Participation: Harrell Fletcher
A FEW FREE IDEAS POSTED ON HARRELL FLETCHER’S WEBSITE
- In an elevator at a museum have a low music that starts at the bottom floor and then as it goes to each floor rises up, as it gets to each floor when the doors open the music volume hits crescendo turning into a joyous magnificent choir sound.
- Tear out all of the pages of a book or magazine that I don’t like.
- Produce a set of my drawings as temporary tattoos.
- Get an artist like Chris Johanson to do free face painting on a street for a couple of hours.
- Suggest to the Whitney that I curate the next biennial.
- Have free classes or lectures offered in public places, make posters to advertise them.
- Video that I shoot of the sunset every day for six months of a year, show them one after another sped up really fast.”
Here’s a great (if old-ish) interview with Harrell Fletcher about something we’ve discussed a lot in class — the relationship between art and community practice.
Interview with artist Harrell Fletcher and his daughter Beatrice
H: What did you see at the beach today?
B: Colors.
H: What happened last night when you called for me when you were in your bed trying to go to sleep?
B: It was too noisy in my room.
H: What was the sound that you heard?
B: My heart beating blood through my body.
H: You could hear your own heart beating? What did it sound like?
B: Marching bands.
Assignment 52: Write the phone call you wish you could have
- Me: Hello?
- My babies: Hi, Mommy! (together)
- Me: Braeden and Chacey?
- My babies: Yes, Mommy, it's us!
- Me: Oh my gosh! (cries) How are you guys doing?
- My babies: Good! Heaven is beautiful!
- Me: I bet it is - I wish I could have met you guys before you went there.
- My babies: We know, Mommy, but we'll see each other when the time is right. God said we're so special that He just couldn't wait for us.
- Me: I guess I can't blame Him for that, but it makes me very sad.
- My babies: We know, but you don't need to cry anymore, Mom. We're in a much better place. Oh, and God told us to tell you that you don't have cancer and not to worry anymore.
- Me: Well, that's good news.
- My babies: And don't be afraid to live a happy life, Mommy - you don't need to feel guilty for moving on.
- Me: I'll work on that. I love you guys so much. It's amazing how much you can love two little people without ever meeting them.
- My babies: We know, Mommy. We have to go now, though. God keeps us busy watching over people. We'll see you someday soon! Tell our daddy and sister we love them.
- Me: Okay, babies. I love you.
