Found Objects #4: Office Cubicle

The office cubicle represents much more than just a three (sometimes 3 ½) walled structure designed for doing work.  In his seminal work, Generation X: Tales for an Accelerated Culture, Douglas Coupland describes cubicles as “veal-fattening pens”, a term that emphasizes the pop-culture notion of ‘cubicle farms’, where mass numbers of people are herded into insipid and cramped work spaces for the purpose of carrying-out mindless, often computer-related tasks while existing in an atmosphere that only promotes maximum production with minimum distraction. The idea is that office workers are like cows: exploit able life forms that, although perhaps necessary for the success of the business, are also deemed relatively unimportant; they can easily be replaced, and so serve merely as a disposable resource. The satisfaction and rewards that come with being employed in a job that binds you to a cubicle are often nil, and rarely worthy of the expectations demanded by the employer. The clichés stressing the distresses of cubicle life and the monotonous routines experienced therein have been forged and popularized through movies such as Office Space, television shows like The Office, and even comic strips like Dilbert.

I’ve personally experienced being rendered ‘cubically-trapped’ by jobs in the past, and on more than one occasion it has struck me that a cubicle could very well be interpreted as a microcosm of a totalitarian society: The employee represents the average citizen who is forcefully restrained by the societal structure around them (the cubicle), while the company they work for represents the mighty dictator that demands allegiance and hard labour from its subjects in order to support an insatiable need for wealth, prominence and power. While the employer attempts to provide the employee the (false) sense of security, privacy, and trust that comes with having one’s own personal working space, the truth is that the employer is simply using the cubical as a means of extending their control over that employee, basically giving up little only to take back a lot. The employer quickly convinces the employee that there is a mutual understanding, a sort of symbiotic relationship that sees benefits for both of them. In reality though, the typical cubical-employee is completely dependent upon the employer: the cubicle-employee needs the employer’s money to survive, while the employer can replace the cubicle-employee on a whim, and do so with little to no consequence at all to the employer. Furthermore, any ‘personal-space’ the employee is provided is rarely ever personal at all. In a cubicle, one's e-mail, Internet usage, and sometimes even phone calls are monitored regularly under the watchful eye of “Big Brother”.   Productivity is always gauged .  If the employee falls behind in their work, they may be subject to disciplining; if the employee manages to get ahead, they’re just thrown a heavier workload.

In a cubicle, employees are expected to focus on the company agenda, or ‘vision’ with minimal disturbance (the cubical is a filter for any form of disturbance). Those who allow themselves to be fully absorbed into the company’s vision without much distraction can anticipate being compensated with lateral promotions, added responsibility, or maybe (if one is lucky enough) even a bigger cubicle. This is intended to make the employee feel ‘recognized’ and accepted by their superiors, hopefully earning the employee’s loyalty, industriousness, and trust. Such employees are fine candidates for ‘spies’ within the work place, as they will always and faithfully report any wrongdoing, idleness, or non-work-related-chitchatting exhibited by their peers. On the other hand, employees that seem less enthusiastic about their jobs and disengaged with the corporate vision generally continue being anchored to their desk under close scrutiny and a heavy workload. 

Personal items are not always allowed to be displayed in an employee’s cubicle, but when it is permitted, the décor must always conform to the image the company is trying to present.   This may vary depending on the place of business, but often the content found on cubical walls will be limited to only what the company can use as a form of office propaganda.  

Typical personal objects that might be found in one's cubicle include:

• Happy family photos (the honeymoon last winter in Mexico, or that trip to Disneyland with the kids during summer break) that are completely unrelated to the job, but still somehow demand observers to think that the employee is quite content with their lot in life and therefore must be forever indebted to the employer for everything he or she has (the vacations, which were needed after working those long hours in a cubicle for well-over a year, were really only affordable after re-mortgaging the house).
• A quirky screen saver, perhaps featuring some flowers, your pet goldfish, or even a picture of your favorite cartoon character (it doesn't really matter, as long as the image is work-appropriate).  Ultimately, the intention is to keep the employee content by giving them a measure of 'freedom' in own personal space, and to reassure them that offices really can be 'fun'.
• a tasteful calendar, often filled with puppy dogs, far-off places the employee can only dream of visiting, cupcakes, or some collection of inspirational (but not really) quotes.  This, like the screen saver,  is also often left to the employee’s discretion (a simple concession by the employer to ensure their employees remain punctual).
• inoffensive coffee mugs with phrases like "World's Best Dad" or "#1 Mom" are also permissible (after all, what business wouldn't want to fill all its cubicles with such quality individuals?), though mugs featuring  quips like: "Hand Over the Coffee and No One Gets Hurt!", are probably too threatening (if not overly obnoxious) and are generally deemed unacceptable. 

It seems even prisoners in their jail cells get better treatment and more allowances than the typical cubicle-worker.  Sure the employee may be rewarded with a paycheck at the end of the week, but then what gain is it, really, if one's life is consistently being drained from them for 8 hours a day?   In all essence, isn't that exactly what a cubicle is, a jail cell?  A corporate jail cell designed to keep the employee controlled, monitored, and subject to strict laws of the employer? 

There is no satisfaction to be found in a cubicle job.  Not really.  And yet millions of people, everyday, march to their cubicle jobs like ants to an anthill, because that is what they've been programmed to do:  work, work, work, get paid, pay bills, eat, sleep, work, work, work, get paid, pay bills, eat, sleep, and so the process continues on indefinitely.  In the end, it is not families that are the building blocks of a society -- at least not in a capitalistic, corporate driven society, it's cubicles.   And while I'm sure we'd all love to see a world without cubicles, it's pretty hard to ever imagine a money-and-power-hungry world without them.   It's unavoidable.   Cubicles are here to stay:  veal-fattening pens designed to exploit the skills and labours of the employee so that the corporate machine can keep moving and spreading its influence across the globe.  Ants going to their anthills is perhaps far too kind a discription, it really is more like sheep being led to the slaughter.

The cubicle therefore serves as a restraint, a symbol of our bondage to a corporate world.   And isn't life worth more than that? More than being confined to a small, compact 4 x 4 ft. room?  I should certainly hope so, and so should you!

                                                                  

"He sets them to work, he gives back to them the bare minimum that will prevent them from starving, and the rest he keeps for himself."      

                                             - George Orwell, Animal Farm

The Grape, Crushed

The Crushed Grape Wine and Food Bar closed its doors for the last time at the end of November.   A sad thing for the community it had been nestled in for quite some time.    The restaurant was not only a delight to eat at, but also served as a bit of a hub for a number of local artists and performers to connect and network in, while also providing them a decent space to show off the fruits of their work.    I never managed to get to “The Grape” (as the community endearingly came to call it) very often, maybe a handful of times, but the restaurant sure did a great job at creating a comfortable atmosphere featuring fantastic food, a fine selection of wine, a dandy crew of staff, and the most wonderful clientele.

Looking back, I regret not frequenting The Grape more often. I did, however, manage to get there on the last night it was open, and I can’t honestly remember ever walking into a place with so much energy. There was a “Crush the Grape” party that invited the public, but particularly all those who held the establishment so dear to their hearts, to send the restaurant out with a bang. And sending it off with a bang they surely did.

The place was absolutely packed beyond movement.  A live band, formed specifically for the occasion (called the “Crushed Grape All Stars” or something to that effect), played to a wild crowd of people that danced on tables, booths, or wherever they could find the room. Under any other circumstances I would have called the event a ‘gong show’, but for some reason it seemed apt for The Grape’s last night; truly reflective of the eclectic and unpredictable nature the place had come to be known for.

What I will mourn the most with the restaurant’s demise though, is its strong contribution to the local arts scene. It’s apparent that Regina is lacking in space for artists to showcase their work, and the closing of The Grape is just going make things that much worse.   The Grape was always a reliable venue that kept its doors open to any artists looking to promote their creations whether on the walls, or in the form of live performances.  They rarely turned anyone away, and as a result, hosted a number of interesting art shows that go beyond featuring your typical 'restaurant art'.    Recent examples include a sound performance that attempted to match recorded tones to samples of wine (the notes and tones tasted in the wine corresponded to those that were heard in the music samples).    They also held an art opening just prior to their closing that explored the processes of developing an Alter-ego.   Artists that were involved in the project were encouraged to create a work of art, complete with a biography of their fictitious counterpart, to display on the walls of the restaurant.  

While it is a sad thing to see The Grape go, I have to admit I am quite excited to see who takes over the space and what they plan to do with it.   I just hope that whoever it is will have the good sense to continue allowing our local artists to be involved with whatever happens there.

Found Object(s) #3: Regina’s Twin (soon to be Triplet) Towers.

             

Towers are often representative of the phallic, and if I ventured to guess, I would have to say the Regina Twin Towers are no exception.

Consider this: Archaeology has shown that in the past, tall upright structures were frequently constructed and used in religious rites as an effort to appease the fertility gods. The hope was that the gods would respond by blessing the cultivated land and ensure a bountiful harvest. Interestingly, Regina was built on some of the richest soil in the world (at one time the region was considered “the breadbasket of the world), and historically, the city has always been surrounded and supported by a strong agricultural community. It should not be too far-fetched then to speculate that the Twin Towers, located in the very heart of downtown Regina, are in fact a symbol stemming from our past representing our desire to retain a vibrant and fertile agrarian landscape. It could also be said that since the Towers are associated more with the city’s commerce, their status as phallic symbols may be even more representative of the growth and development of the city’s increasingly important business sector. After all, every city desires a fertile economy, no? I also don’t think it’s mere coincidence that with the recent surge in city development Regina is now building a third “phallus”, or Tower, with the hopes of receiving future blessings from the gods of commercial fertility.

Sociologically speaking, the location of the Towers in the city is also interesting. Ancient cultures used to place their most sacred temples in the centre of their communities, or in what we would call today their “downtown”. These religious structures, often tall and imposing in nature, marked the centre of a city’s activities. While I admit the Towers in Regina aren’t religious, and don’t really centralize and galvanize the city’s community at the moment, recent construction and development in the downtown area certainly aim to bolster the traffic in and around those twin (and soon to be triplet) buildings. Time will only tell if a third Tower will be enough to stimulate the Regina downtown, impregnate it with greater activity, and bring to birth a renewed sense of community and business in the city.

Another point to consider is this: Ever hear someone say that a man driving a big truck “is obviously trying to compensate for something” (suggesting he’s perhaps deficiently endowed)? Well consider Regina as that man, and the Twin towers as our city’s ‘Truck’ – something we’ve acquired as a means of compensating for something we seem to lack: Possibly more national scale attention? A cultural identity? Respect from other, better endowed cities? Being known for more than just the city that rhymes with “fun”, or the city with the “worst neighbourhood”? Maybe to prove we’re more than just another hick-town in the middle of nowhere? Whatever the case may be, Regina seems to feel it lacks distinctiveness, and I believe the Towers can be viewed, in both a symbolic and physical sense, as a pathetic attempt to somehow make-up for that shortcoming – the Towers, after all, are touted in nearly all our civic advertising and marketing campaigns, and generally identified as the city's most recognizable landmarks. Therefore, since for the most part it is men who are in charge of running the Queen City, could it be that Regina, named after a strong female monarch, is reaching for some old-fashioned masculine branding to compensate for its patriarchal insecurities?  As if one weren't enough, we had to build two, and soon to be three such erections that stretch far above our city's horizon.   And if the rumours are true, even a fourth tower is could be on its way.  Now doesn't that seem at least a bit excessive?   

It really bothers me that despite having so much potential and promise, Regina continues to ‘compensate’ for its inadequacies rather than embrace all of its strengths. I’m just not convinced that adding another giant glass and concrete penis to our city skyline screams to the rest of the world that we have “arrived”. I’ve been to cities all over the world, and I’ve found it’s not the size of their buildings that necessarily matter, but instead it’s the people that live there and all those little things one really has to hunt for that gives it a true character and identity: the local businesses and restaurants, the underground music venues, the non-commercial art galleries, the publicly-run festivals, and so on and so forth. Of course, I’m not against building another Tower downtown – it will undoubtedly yield countless advantages to the city. All I am imploring is that we let it not define us.   Regina has a wealth of talent in the arts, and I think developing and promoting this would go so much farther in providing us with a more defined identity.

Next blog post: Regina’s Twin Towers as yonic symbols...I kid, I kid! (Despite the overwhelming evidence to suggest this is the case, I won’t bore you with my counter argument to the post above. All you need to do is look at the subtle “V” shape that the buildings create on the city’s pre-“Infinite Horizons” logo, remember that Regina will always be the city that rhymes with “fun”, and know that Regina has very feminine roots as Canada’s “Queen City”.

My Daily Horoscope: The Art of the Future

I am a Pisces.   Though I've never really understood what that meant, I've always thought we are all somehow connected to the vast universe, and that to at least some extent, maybe even subject to its workings.  I've taken 10 horoscopes from 10 random websites that predict my day tomorrow (November 30, 2010) Lets see just how accurate these predictions will be.  

In no particular order:

1.  Get clarity on financial matters. Promised funds may not come through just now. Review your budget and adjust accordingly. Outer circumstances are favorable and should be easy for you to push forward in projects and in all areas of your life. Things may seem almost miraculous in the way they work out in your favor. This is a great time to organize and get things accomplished. A relentless getting down to essentials makes your sense of management and practical vision very deep. You have a sense of mass psychology, how to organize and manipulate sensitive areas of the public mind. A very simple gathering of several friends this evening reveals you as successful. Congratulations, you have had a very full and successful day.

http://www.dailyhoroscopes.com/component/option,com_events/task,view_detail/agid,390/year,2010/month,11/day,30/Itemid,4/

It would have been better if they hadn't told me these "Promised Funds" existed...now money I didn't even know I had, is no longer "coming to me".  *sigh*



2.  Relax and let things go a little today -- you need to make sure that you're not feeling tied down! Your energy is about right for big-picture issues that might still morph quite a bit before coming to fruition.

http://www.astrology.com/horoscopes/pisces/daily-horoscope/tomorrow
 
Any future that involves the word "Morph" is alright by me.
 
 

3.  Venus is now in your adventure and learning sector, and will journey through that sector for the next six weeks. This brings wonderfully optimistic energy to your love life. It's also a decent time for money dealings. You have a taste for the exotic, and you may find yourself attracted to people, objects, and situations that are notably different than your usual "flavor". Sharing personal philosophies with others appeals greatly during this cycle.

http://www.cafeastrology.com/piscesdailyhoroscopetom.html

I need to know more about the un-'usual' flavors I'll be enjoying before I can get on board with this one...



4.  You could have an awkward moment today by realizing that a previous goal has become less important. It's not that your opinions have changed; it's just that your perspective is growing broader, enabling you to understand an opposing viewpoint. Nevertheless, don't be too accommodating. It's better to dig in your heels and hold your position, instead of wasting energy trying to regain control later on.

http://www.tarot.com/astrology/daily-horoscope/pisces-horoscope/?scopeDay=20101130

Awkard moments define my life, this is nothing new.



5.  Relax and let things go a little today -- you need to make sure that you're not feeling tied down! Your energy is about right for big-picture issues that might still morph quite a bit before coming to fruition.


http://shine.yahoo.com/astrology/pisces/daily-overview/20101130/

I wonder if Yahoo! knows #2 totally 'copy' and 'pasted' this for their own website? (or vise-versa, I suppose)
 


6.  You may be pointing the finger in the wrong direction if you think you have made an enemy. You are probably your own worst enemy just now not anyone else. Re-examine the pace and intensity of your words and you will understand what I am talking about.


http://www.astrology.com.au/daily/pisces.asp
 
I might be pointing my finger in the wrong direction regardles...I sprained it falling on the ice this past weekend.
 


7.  While your day at work ought to begin with a whirlwind of creative ideas and suggestions from your side, you will run out of juice by mid-day, says Ganesha. Perhaps, it is time to take a short break over the weekend from work to recharge your batteries.


http://www.ganeshaspeaks.com/daily_pisces_horoscope.jsp

Looking forward to the creative whirlwind, not so much the juice-less mid-day.  



8.  You will loose your own wave if you get involved in other people`s problems today. Don`t be too shy to cut those who have disappointed you. Avoid sharing your opinion whit the others.

http://www.gotohoroscope.com/pisces-daily-tomorrow.html

Yes.  share my opinion whit others...


 
9.  Mars officially makes its connection to Jupiter today (even though they've been interacting for a little while now). This is a tougher aspect to deal with because its going to really suppress your drive to succeed and be productive. If you can put something off, that's by far the easiest choice to make. It's also going to be a lot harder to find the point of doing what needs to be done.


Heading into the work week, it's important that you keep this energy in mind as you go about your day. If things are going to get done, it has to come from within (others aren't going to pick up the slack for you). So as much as there might be temptation to mull around doing little, or bypassing your responsibilities altogether, you're not condemned to sitting idly. You just have to find ways to make the tougher choice of working hard rather than constantly settling for the fun activity. It's a bit of a turkey day hangover in many respects, but some will find their way to rise above it and make the most of their opportunities. You've got the power, but the choice to use it is yours. Best of luck.

Maintaining the status quo will probably be sufficient enough for you for now. It's going to be hard to get amped up to do more than the minimum to get by. Still, if you can look for reasons to do more than you have to, you can make a really big impression in the eyes of others. It might not be exactly what you want right now, but later on when you do seek a little more attention and appreciation, you will have your deeds from today to fall back on. You'll have to really step it up in order to make the most of this energy, but there can be some long-term benefits to cash in on if you do.

http://weeklyhoroscope.com/ViewSignDailyPisces.php

Status and quo are my two favorite words when placed together... 
 



10.  Right now you feel a need for sweetness - perhaps in the form of emotional and physical affection, or even of food. You are apt to be pleasantly self-indulgent.

http://www.homepagers.com/daily/pisces.html

I'm getting an early jump on this one today.   Nothing wrong with eating a whole tub of ice cream in one sitting, is there?

Ode to Art

O gentle Art!

My one true love,

Each day I pray,

The gods above,

Would let you know,

Just how I feel,

Each time a glimpse

Of you I steal.

O darling Art,

I look at you,

And wonder if

You see me too.

O If you only knew

The time I’d spent,

Observing you

To great extent.

O cherished Art,

I’m always there,

At the gallery,

Were you unaware?

I've stared at you,

With adoring eyes,

And probed for meaning

In your shape and size.

O beloved Art!

I beg of you,

Reveal to me,

Your hidden truth.

I need to know,

What hides behind,

That chiseled mask,

And sculpted mind.

O glorious Art,

I must know more,

About your past

And inner core.

Give me context,

And show me style,

Explain to me,

Your inner guile.

O mild Art,

What would I do

If I could never

Look at you?

You flood my thoughts,

And fill my dreams,

In ever-flowing,

Brush-stroked streams!

O wondrous Art,

You touch my soul,

You give me peace,

And make me whole.

The feelings you

Instill in me,

Are like a boisterous,

Raging sea!

O treasured Art,

So near my heart,

Don’t ever let us,

Be apart.

And one day soon,

You’ll come to learn,

How much for you,

My heart does yearn.

O dearest Art!

I love you so,

You warm my heart,

And make it glow;

No matter where

You may reside,

I hope you know,

I’ll be close by.

O precious Art,

Come home with me,

You’d look your best,

With me, you’ll see!

I have the perfect

Place for you,

To complement

Your shape and hue.

O tender Art,

I must confess,

I love you more

Than I can stress.

Now don't be scared,

I mean no harm,

Just follow me,

There's no alarm.

O faithful Art,
You must be mine,
I have to have you,
--Yes, it's time!
There's no denying
I'm your fate,
And that we, dear Art,
Make perfect mates!

This is Art, he's a gallery curator.

**In case you haven't figured it out, this post was a bit of a joke and obviously an attempt to play on the word "Art".  Art is not a real person, nor is he a real curator (though I suppose somewhere in the world it's possible a man could exist with the name Art and also be a curator,  but I am certain THIS guy isn't him).  I also realise my poem is quite terrible and that it is worthy of the utmost criticism.  However, since I've never claimed to be a poet, I won't apologise for creating the awful thing either.  

Found Objects #2: The Paperclip

The paperclip is a beautiful piece of stationary that can represent unity, harmony, and the genteel. In French they call it le trombone based on the object’s striking similarity in shape to that euphonious musical instrument that shares the same name. The paperclip we are most familiar with today is made of "looped" wire (as shown in the image above), and has been in use at least since the early 1870’s (most likely originating in Britain), and comes in a variety of colours and sizes depending on its user’s needs and desires.  In history, the paperclip has proved to be a great binding force both literally and figuratively.

Figuratively, the paperclip has symbolized agreement and accord, particularly in the sense of a united commitment to a given cause. For instance, Norwegian patriots sported a paperclip on their lapels to show their joint resistance to Nazi occupation during WWII.

In a more literal sense, paperclips have provided invaluable aid as agents that can clasp documents together and keep them in order.  In such a capacity, the paperclip has served very well in the development and preservation of some of the most powerful ideas (written, of course) the world has ever known. For example, had paperclips not existed at the time, the earliest drafts of Mein Kampf, the Treaty of Versailles, and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms might not have ever reached the form we know them as today. Just imagine: 8 pages of Mein Kamf missing because “someone” forgot to paperclip them together just so a gust of wind could come along and carry them away! Who knows what impact, for good or bad, an event like that would have had on the course of history as we know it?

Considering that paperclips emerged in the heat of the industrial revolution, one can only wonder what other minute, and yet momentously significant contributions they might have made to the present world . Were paperclips responsible for keeping the first factory maintenance manuals together so that factory operators had a reliable set of printed instructions to work with as they strove to increase manufacturing and production? Assuming this is the case, if industry had not run so smoothly in its infancy, would we still have computers, cars, microwaves or many other manufactured conveniences we tend to take for granted? The implications of paperclips on our current society are unfathomable, and yet this unassuming piece of wire remains such a small and rather simple device, often overlooked in its grand importance.

Keeping to the softer side of paperclips, it’s important to note they have many advantages over other similar paper-binding devices, thus making them the tool of choice for anyone looking to keep a stack paper (up to 30 pages, give or take) affixed in some semblance of order. Conversely, staples and binding combs, glue and thread, all contribute to a messy situation: staples tear, binding combs are sloppy, glue and thread can peel and fray.  A paperclip on the other hand slides on and off with little to no detection, and will rarely damage the paper.  Paperclips are quick, clean, easy, simple, and by paper-compressing/holding standards, quite elegant as well.  A versatile tool, paperclips can also be used to pick locks, serve as make-shift wires in electronics, for soldering, and, when craftily strung together, even as jewelery.

Yes, the value of a paperclip is immeasurable.  Just consider for instance what this guy did with one.

Need More Fiber in Your Diet?

This week as I was promenading down 13th Avenue in the Regina Cathedral Area, window-gazing per usual, I was pleasantly surprised by some new additions to the neighbourhood: Trees with trunk-warmers, toque-capped benches, strings of hats and felt that lined the sidewalk, and, my personal favorite, a great wall of elaborate fabric that decorated an entire side of a building.  With some further investigation, I soon discovered this was all part of an event called “High Fiber Content”.   The event was organized by Traditions Handcraft Gallery (one of the local shops) as a celebration of fiber art in the community, and is also apparently part of a much larger national project called "culturedays".

I liked that fiber was implemented as the medium of choice in this project, and found some of the creations to be rather delightful.  I think this is probably the first time since I’ve arrived in Regina that  fiber has been showcased so enthusiastically as an art form. (Not to say fiber art wasn’t visible around the city prior to this event, but it is refreshing to see it receive such exclusive attention).

 

If I had just one gripe about the project, it would be that there is probably more that could have been done with it.  While I think fiber art has a lot of potential, the display along 13th seemed, at least to me, a bit empty as far as content goes. It's cute for sure, don’t get me wrong, and it certainly has been successful in getting people to stop and observe the handiwork involved. But if truth be told, I’ve seen similar arrangements before, and feel that the execution of the work in this instance somewhat lacks in innovation.

On the other hand, I do think the display does accomplish something rather important: it introduces people to a form of art that is often overlooked and underappreciated. If this was an attempt to educate the community with a basic understanding of fiber as an art form, then I think the project ought to be deemed at least a moderate achievement. To this end, I do believe Traditions Handcraft Gallery should be commended for their efforts on the project, as well as applauded for making such a contribution to the Regina arts scene.

I’m still not sure if “High Fiber Content” is supposed to be an on-going annual event, but if it is, it would be my hope that next time around it tries to take another step forward in its exploitation of fiber as a medium. A little more gusto with a pinch more substance, and “High Fiber Content” could become something truly unique for the city of Regina. Think of something along the lines of this, this, or even this.

Again, the fiber installation that impressed me most (hands down) was the fabric covered wall shown in the image below.  Quite an amazing display of craftsmanship indeed, and yet just a small sample of what fiber's future in the Regina artscape could be!

Found Objects #1: Missing Pill

It’s unusual that one would select something that was missing and declare it a “found object” since the object is technically not “found” at all, but remains quite absent even after it has been declared a work of art.

It’s not so much that the object never existed either. I’m not trying to convince you the pill is actually in the packet and that it’s invisible, or present in some transcendental way; nor am I implying something was in fact “found”, but that I have simply chosen not to show it to you as some sort of commentary on our innate desire to protect, covet, and attempt ownership of a certain knowledge or some great secret: I have something, it’s art, but you can’t know what it is.   Neither am I suggesting something along these lines.

No, it’s nothing like that at all. What I do find fascinating with this image though, is that the pill really did exist, it was obviously in the package at some point in time, but now seems to have disappeared. Did someone consume the pill? Was it lost? Was it set aside someplace else for later ingestion? Did it disappear while in the owner’s possession, or was it already gone when the package was opened? Where is the pill now? The image alone does not provide a satisfying enough answer as to why the pill is not in the package, though the evidence is clear that a pill certainly did exist in the empty place it left behind.

My point is, sometimes what isn’t in the image can say much more than what is actually visible, and exercising such awareness when contemplating art and its context can prove to be extremely rewarding and enlightening to the observer. Critical and analytical thinking is a key component in understanding art, and the provided image shouldn't be treated any different. There is a hidden narrative that exists in the image that no one can ever truly uncover, save, perhaps, the person that actually took the pill (if in fact a person did take it), and I doubt very much that the person who did take the pill ever wonders if anyone else is concerned about the pill's "story". 

It's likely we've all taken pills of some kind for one purpose or another, so chances are the tale of the particular pill that has gone astray in this image is hardly any different -- probably quite ordinary and mundane.  Yet, we can't know for sure.  Maybe this was the final pill that thrust its swallower spiraling and convulsing into a violent drug overdose, or maybe it was the pill that was finally capable of alleviating its swallower’s month-long struggle with a migraine headache, or maybe the person who swallowed the pill simply choked on it and died.   We’ll never know.  But one thing we can be sure of is there's usually more than meets the eye, and contemplating different perspectives when viewing art can be nothing less than invaluable.

Puzzles Aimed to Puzzle

For the past few months I have been engaged in an art project involving forty blank puzzles I purchased at a local craft store. I used a black permanent marker to hand-draw a stylized image of a jig-saw on each one, thus making them literal "jigsaw" puzzles. While the project may initially seem to be a bit of a ‘one-liner’, there is a certainly more depth to the work than just that. While obviously quite simple, the project touches on the history of the jigsaw puzzle by referencing its beginnings as a mere educational tool, while still commenting on its modern status as a popular pastime. The project also attempts to address how the jigsaw puzzle has become an accepted medium for displaying images and illustrations often deemed "art".

I wrote my contact information on the back of the puzzles, and then proceeded to break the pieces up and place them in envelopes that I sealed and labeled only with the words "Open Me". I then spent the past few months scattering the envelopes around various locations for people to find. My goal was to evoke a response to the work, while at the same time trying to introduce the general public to the concept of self-installed art. The works were placed in an assortment of settings, including local pubs, coffee shops, restaurants, music venues, along the street, and even in well-respected art galleries (two puzzles were actually installed at the Mackenzie Art Gallery).

Unfortunately, I have yet to receive any feedback on the work, though there is no doubt the puzzles have been ‘found’. I figure either the individuals that discovered them were unable put the puzzle together, simply didn’t want to take the time to respond, were perhaps intimidate by the project, or just didn’t understand the project at all (or care, for that matter). While I am a bit discouraged by the lack of response, I do feel somewhat accomplished in that I did manage to install two of the works in the Mackenzie Art Gallery, which does beg some interesting questions: How does self-installation, particularly in a reputable gallery, impact the concept of "curator"? Also, can the location of an artwork alter the way the work is perceived? For example, does placing a work of art in a gallery give the work any more credibility than if it were placed in a pub? (I was hoping responses would vary depending on where the puzzles were found). What do people generally consider "art"? And, when it comes to art, what is behind a name? That is, if someone recognized the name on the back of the puzzle, would they have responded differently than if the name was unknown to them (I’m assuming most people didn’t recognize my name when they found my contact information, and had the name been someone more locally famous like, say, Joe Fafard, would the response have been any different)?

That said, I think that despite the project’s obvious failures in some areas, the work was successful in at least being able to raise some questions about art, while also drawing attention to the history and nature of the medium it was presented in – the jigsaw puzzle. The jigsaw puzzle got its name because it was first made of wood and the pieces literally had to be cut with a jig-saw. The first jigsaw puzzle was actually used as a teaching device and was presented as a map with all the countries being the interlocking pieces. Students could memorize the names and locations of the countries by placing the pieces in their proper arrangement. The popularity of the jigsaw puzzle as a tool for education quickly increased, and it soon spilled over from the schools into people’s homes. Crafters began applying the technique in a more creative and entrepreneurial capacity, thus allowing the more modern and leisurely form of the jigsaw puzzle to emerge. Of course over the years, for cost efficiencies, wood was eventually replaced with cardboard, and the pieces were cut instead with a hydraulic press. The basic premise of the jigsaw puzzle, however, remains the same today: to put the pieces together to form a bigger picture.

If you would like to know greater details about the jigsaw puzzle’s past, I recommend reading the online Wikipedia articles "Puzzle", "Jigsaw Puzzle" and also this article here.

Since most of my work is shrouded in mystery, secrecy and the unknown, I also felt this project was an appropriate reflection of me. I have been described by some as a puzzle myself, and felt a project that embraced that quality would be something worth exploring. It certainly was for me, and after reading this, I hope it was for you too!

"All Art is Quite Useless"

I suppose, perhaps, the quote I have referenced at the top of my blog might deserve some sort of an explanation; partly because it appears to contradict my profession as an artist, but mostly because the statement is so frequently misunderstood, and usually leads to the disdain and dissatisfaction of those who read it (though such thinking really ought to be corrected). "What do you mean art is useless?" some might say, "but art has so much meaning: it elevates our awareness of things, questions everything, contextualizes and re-contextualizes ideas, sharpens our appreciation for beauty, thought, and skill, it can define cultures, and is able to capture the essence and spirit of the time in which it’s made".

Yes, it is absolutely true that art is loaded with meaning, but that doesn’t silence the fact that art is still altogether useless. Just because something holds "meaning", doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s "useful". When constructing his argument that "all art is quite useless", Oscar Wilde suggests that when a piece of art beckons an array of criticism (it doesn’t matter if the criticism is good or bad), the work is established as "new, complex, and vital". He is not, however, denying it has meaning or value. "Vital", which generally means essential, crucial, or fundamental, is a far cry from saying that something (in this particular case, art) is totally worthless. While a great many people would insist the words "worthless" and "useless" are synonymous, it becomes fairly evident upon further investigation that the two terms are not the same at all. For example, a single piece of paper at a paper factory may have an infinite number of uses even though its actual worth would be deemed rather insignificant. Conversely, most people would consider a broken clock to be quite useless. However, if the clock is an antique or a collectible, it will definitely be viewed with some measure of worth. In a similar sense, art, while certainly useless, should never be deemed worthless.

Art cannot be "used", it just "is". It's not like a furnace which is used to heat a house, nor is it like a refrigerator that functions primarily to chill food. Art is much more subjective and open to criticism than such things, and while it serves a multitude of purposes, it can never truly be worthy of being called "useful". It provides nothing absolute, or concrete, and so can never be accepted as an entirely credible source of knowledge. Art is a visual philosophy that cultivates thinking and builds on ideas, but never establishes anything completely unto itself.

Oscar Wilde was widely recognized as a strong patron of the arts and he placed great value on the fruits of creativity –The Picture of Dorian Gray, from which the quotation being discussed is drawn, was a book full of his philosophical contemplations about art, many of them focusing on art’s insatiable need to be admired. He states: "We can forgive a man for making a useful thing as long as he does not admire it. The only excuse for making a useless thing is that one admires it intensely". Hence, art is not "used", according to Wilde, it's "admired". It's placed on display simply to be observed by an audience, and, subsequently, to be exposed to scrutiny and criticism. Since Wilde felt that art is made solely to be displayed and admired, he concludes his line of reasoning with the infamous (though appropriate ) statement, "All art is quite useless".

Now, I'm not saying Oscar Wilde was necessarily right in what he said, but I do think it's important for people to know that he wasn't simply discarding the notion that art is a valuable function in society. He makes a strong argument and establishes it quite logically. He likely omits "craft" as art though, which I'm not entirely convinced is fair, but am willing to accept for the sake of following his thought process on the subject. The reason why I include the quote at the top of my blog is to merely draw attention to the controversy that undeniably exists in art.

Welcome to Padenom

It is my sincerest belief that when a host (or hostess) decides to invite anyone to an event of any scale, the courteous thing to do is to be quite specific when identifying what the event is. This should always include clarification as to why the event is such a to-do, and even more importantly why the event ought to be so worthy of a person's time and attention (and make no mistake, time is precious).

One never wants to be accused of stealing time from anybody (it's simply not kosher), and I, being said "one" certainly do not want to be accused of wasting your time with this blog. Ergo, I feel it my duty thus to remove myself from this digression and come straight to the point of this potentially pleasurable sojourn which you are now being extended a most warm and welcoming invitation to embark upon. And yet, before we begin this fascinating journey (namely my foregoing "blog"), I feel I must first provide you with some framework, or context to this grand and comely affair. If not only to tantalize your palate and whet your appetite for consuming my scrumptious prose and decadent artistic postings, then at the very least to help you gain a better understanding of my unusual work.

To begin, it is absolutely critical you know that I am, by trade, and artist. And when I say I am an artist, I feel it necessary to establish that by "artist" I don't just mean I slather paint randomly on a canvas with no particular intent or direction, expecting a response of epic proportions (although I admit I have been known to do so). No, nor do I mean that I am one to force meaning onto an object or a construction simply to deem it something it really and obviously isn't (though I confess I am guilty of doing such things also). Indeed, I am what I am, and what I am is an artist in the purest and most unadulterated meaning of the term--which, as it turns out, is rather ambiguous. To be more precise, I am a conceptual artist, and the blog I am about to release on the world is nothing more than a basic, true-to-form "concept" that I have devised, planned and executed of my own free will.

You, the reader (and true subject of this blog), are thus invited to participate as the "audience" for this glorious sampling of my work. Keep in mind that your response to my work is my ultimate objective and the blog, though certainly a wonderful creation unto itself, is only intended to serve as a means to an end. I don't think I can stress this enough. This blog is not the work of art in this case, but the response of the reader is. In essence, it is your reaction to this blog (whatever that reaction may be) that shall elevate this "art" to the apex of its intended form. I realize of course this places an incredibly weighty responsibility on the reader's shoulders, and is also perhaps why I feel such an obligation to explain my intents and the reasons for inviting you along on this curious diversion. Nevertheless, it remains my conviction that after all is said and done you will wholeheartedly agree with me that the time we have entrusted to this thrilling blog was overwhelmingly worth our while.

And now that I have made you thoroughly aware of my aims, any commitment to reading the remainder of this post (or any of those to follow), will be interpreted as your acceptance of my exceedingly generous invitation to take part in this rather unique experience. Whatever the measure of your response proves to be toward this blog, it shall be viewed quite worthily as a priceless and intrinsic addition to the progress and success of this budding work (which I suppose we could technically proclaim to be a "collaboration" between myself and you, the reader).

Though I admit this 'blogging' excursion exposes me to what should be my inevitable failure as a 'blogger' (I must emphasize I don't claim to be one), I have full confidence that, assuming I receive any level of response toward this work, my inadequacies as a blogger will be instantly dismissed once my principal artistic objectives are realized.

One last note about this blog: There is much more going on here than may be readily apparent. In fact, this blog is just a single piece to a much larger puzzle I am currently in the process of crafting. However, if you have an investigative enough spirit and a sufficiently curious mind, there are resources available to help shed further light on this remarkable mystery. If not, simply continue reading and enjoy!