Conversation19

“Conversation19” is a sound scuplture installation that spans three levels of a concrete staircase with motion activated sensors that begin reading the poems you can listen to and read here. Ascending through this interactive sculpture, each participant is invited to weave between tunnels of semi-transluscent walls without a directive sense of beginning or ending.
The piece employs the use of stratified space and sound to suspend the subject in discomfort as the audience  navigates, both physically and auditorially, the tedium of disentangling a fraught conversation. At times, the conversation conjoins on a phrase, though through tone and space, the sentiment that lies behind the words remain separate. Navigating incompatibility and a desire to be heard, “Conversation19” evokes feelings of frustration, confusion, loss, and despair.

do you feel restless?                                                                        only sometimes
When you look at the sky?                                                             more than usual
when the sun is hot and the air is heavy?                                    especially restless
do you feel drawn to chaos?                                                           what is chaos?
rapid change and fantastical experience                        some might call it a tendency
what moves you?                                                 blood, appendages, brain signals
physically that’s true                                                        what are you asking?
what are you afraid of losing?                             useless time spent without discretion
a worthy fight                                                                                  we never win  
                    would you prefer to lose?                                                   I often do                                                                                                               

 perhaps this is progress


is that what you’d call it?                                              I don’t have another word for it
we can keep quiet for now                                         would you call it worthwhile?
not noticeably, but hopefully                                        I’d like more of a guarantee          
I’m not in the business of promises                                   I’m not asking for much
you’re asking for more than I have                         what would you say if you were able
I can’t say                                                              you’ve gotta give me something
I have nothing to give                                                                come on, just try?
I’ve tried and now I’m tired                                                       no one likes excuses  
                             no one likes to feel useless                               I never called you useless                                                                         
it was implied


nothing will stay the same                                                more and more I change
                            are you going?                                             I haven’t decided                                                                                             

new never solved anything on its own


what are you replacing                                         don’t blame the old for breaking
is it worth it?                                                               some things can’t be fixed
will you regret the comfort                                        nostalgia is for the weak
memories guard me                                                  memories paralyze you
I count them as growth                                       rocky soil encourages weeds
I’m a vigilant gardener                                 you’re too soft to pull up destruction
you mistake me                                                    I’ve seen too many of you
I’m not someone you know                                       you’re just the same

It’s easier to tell someone who they are than to wait and discover who they become
what are you saying about me?                              I’m saying you’re an imposter
that’s an unfair assumption                                           prove me wrong
not everything is so easily refuted
                          
it’s often difficult to see ourselves for who we are