In “Writing Home,” artist Sheryl Oring explored the connection between place, language and memory via a public performance in which she set up a portable office (complete with typewriter) and invited people to dictate letters to their ancestors. In another, “I Wish to Say,” she used the same tactic but asked passers-by questions about First Amendment rights, transcribing the answers via trusty typewriter to postcards sent directly to the White House. Her investigation of art and public opinion continues with a traveling performance piece, “The Birthday Project.” Once again, Oring finds herself typing dictated messages, this time to gather birthday wishes for George W. Bush from the public in eight cities that represent a diverse cross-section of the country and spell out the word “BIRTHDAY”: Brooklyn, Indianapolis, Raleigh, Tampa, Houston, Des Moines, Albuquerque and Yosemite. If you want to send personal birthday wishes (or curses) to GWB in celebration of his 60th birthday while taking part in a nationwide art project occurring on the eve of mid-term elections, make sure to drop by the Fun-Lan Swap Shop Flea Market this Thursday. June 15,10 a.m.-2 p.m., 2302 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, free admission, www.iwishtosay.org/birthdayproject.
This article appears in Jun 14-20, 2006.
