TELEGRAPH PROGRESS, 2013

“Telegraph Progress” is a performance that I conceived at the Watermill Center, a performance laboratory founded by Robert Wilson. The building is the site of a former Western Union research laboratory for telecommunication, and where the high-speed fax machine was developed. I stood on top of the building and spelled out a phrase with semaphore flag signaling, a telegraphic language formerly used by the military to transmit messages over long distances. The fax machine also was developed for the same reason. With semaphore, I transmitted a line from a Western Union advertisement written about the fax machine that was in the Watermill Center's archives.  The phrase I spelled out was “FOR A WORLD LIVING BY A TIME CLOCK.” I remained stationary, spelling this phrase out letter by letter for two hours, until the sun set and I was no longer illuminated.

Research documents for the performance (below), 2013-14

Research doucment for performance at the Watermill Center, August 2013. Performed at Watermill Center's summer benefit, Devil's Heaven, and Discover Watermill Day. Camera Lovis Ostenrik Adam Lenz Gabriel Massias Jesse Chen Meredith Esser

For a world living by a time clock, 2013. Digital image.

FORAWORLDLIVINGBYATIMECLOCK (memory), 2013. Digital collage.

FORAWORLDLIVINGBYATIMECLOCK (memory), 2013. Digital collage.