2009 May « Mark Nakamura

I was invited to take part in an exhibition by a recent Emily Carr University MFA graduate, Håvard Pedersen. He had been using a window display to exhibit a curatorial project entitled, “Lamda Lamda Lamda & Omega Mu,” which he explained was based on the film, “Revenge of the Nerds.” The idea was to have a call for submissions to exhibit artwork and accept all entries, no matter the quality of the proposals and art. He was working with a limited time frame to use the space he was given and he asked me to participate with approximately a week’s notice. At my request, I was given the last slot to exhibit.

As much as possible, I tried to work with the circumstances and context and produced three paintings and vinyl text. I put up the red vinyl text that uses the name of Håvard’s exhibition project in a way that comes across as the name of the gallery. The watercolours relate to my interest in making promises of forthcoming activities/events, which are also an end in and of themselves. They are just simple jokes about the use-value versus art-value of the objects. The day after it was put up on the entrance door to the building, the painting, “Sorry We’re Closed (I Will Be Back In Five Minutes),” was taken down by the business next door. I was hoping that instead of taking it down, they would post a sign of their own to explain that contrary to my sign, their business is still open. Unfortunately, this was not the case, but it led to another drawing that I have since posted in the window display. It says the following:

Håvard,

If you’re reading this letter, you already know. The drawing on the door to the building has been removed. I found it taped to the gallery door with a tear along the bottom. I left it in the window with the damage clearly visible, so that I can shame the person responsible (from next door).

Anyway, I thought we were supposed to meet today. I’ve been waiting for close to an hour, but I am hungry so I’m going home. I wanted to talk to you about the press release draft that you totally messed up. I thought I was clear when I said that this work is dead serious.

If you absolutely must write about humour, then I want you to take it more seriously. You should explain in exhaustive detail what’s so damn funny.

Call me when you get this message. You better have a good excuse for yourself.

Mark

I will post the photos of this note soon. The text is neatly drawn out on nice paper and affixed to the inside of the window.