TEXT II: OZ THE GREAT & POWERFUL

This piece is the second in a series of artworks based upon a text conversation.

In terms of its form, 'Text II' relates to the origins of writing ie consider Mesopotamian cuneiform clay tablets, Hellenistic ostraca, the Rosetta Stone. These 'recordings' have a different material form, older and more enduring than print. Another influence has to be the beautiful interior ceramic work in Russell Square tube station. I usually stay in Russell Square when in London and have frequented the station many many times in the last 20 years.

The physicality of the piece is also a 'tongue-in-cheek' reference to Carl Andre's now infamous sculpture 'Equivalent VIII' - otherwise known as 'The Tate Bricks'. My piece is made up of 84 enamelled fire bricks. Andre's work contains 120.

The conversation that I recorded was a text between myself and my then 16 year old daughter. It refers to the Sam Raimi film 'Oz The Great & Powerful'– a 'prequel' to the original 1939 'Wizard of Oz'. The Raimi film was released in cinemas in March 2013.

Do you want to see Oz the Great & Powerful on Saturday?

Sure, do you know the way to The Emerald City?

HaHaHaHa!:)xxx

I was very happy to be invited to the movies by my teenage daughter, but I couldn't resist the inevitable 'dad joke'. I still think it's pretty funny.

I  was always going to make a permanent recording for her, since 'Text I' had already been done for my son. The text was sent in 2013, the piece itself was completed in January 2018.