Berserker

Recession Tales: Vito Acconci

ubuweb:

Vito Acconci forced to close studio:

http://archpaper.com/e-board_rev.asp?News_ID=3539

Vito Acconci in UbuWeb Sound (MP3):

1. The American Gift

1976, 42:36 min

Alternating between an English lesson, in which a French-speaking man and woman translate English phrases, and short “samples” of what Acconci calls “the voice of America” - movie soundtracks, Creole singers, honky-tonk piano - The American Gift investigates the problematics of translation and nationality.


2. The Gangster Sister From Chicago Visits New York (A Family Piece)

1977, 7:50 min

Originally installed in a makeshift “house” painted red, white, and blue, this provocative audio piece features Acconci addressing imaginary characters - Mama, Daddy, Big Brother, Sister, and Jesus - in a singular take on the American family.


3. Under-History Lessons

1976, 21:25 min

Playing both the teacher and the students, Acconci enacts a series of short lessons, from “Lesson 1: Let’s Believe We’re in This Together” to “Lesson 12: Let’s be Oppressed,” offering an ideosyncratic take on the ideological underpinnings of American education and society.


4. The Bristol Project (45:00) 2001 


5. Ten Packed Minutes (12:33)

Ten Packed Minutes: Written 1977. Musical excerpts from the recordings of Leon Redbone, Cow Cow Davenport, Eric Dolphy, Karl Berger and Ornette Coleman.

Originally from the LP Airwaves (One Ten Records), 1977

Vito Acconci in UbuWeb Film:

http://ubu.com/film/acconci.html

Vito Acconci in the UbuWeb Anthology of Conceptual Writing:

“RE”;

[“READ THIS WORD”];

“Points for Motion”;

“Installment/Installation: Move/Remove”

He once produced art that inspired me more than anything else I’d ever seen. Then he decided to squander his mind on architecture.  Maybe now he’ll go back to art.

Here’s to the economy.