This is a documentation of a participatory work directed by Mark Cameron Boyd and performed by members of his "Graduate Collaborative Studio" class. Each performer was required to transcribe one continuous line of poetry as read aloud by Casey Smith. Phrases were written so that the edge of the tape bisected the words. Writers were organized by height in correspondence to six parallel strips of masking tape on the blackboard:

"After the performance, the audience is invited to now join with the Writers in deciphering the now bisected text; to complete the words. All white chalk is removed and BLUE chalk is provided for text deciphering.

What was only moments before written by their own hands has become a mystery for the Writers; words recently heard now are illegibly bisected and also fading from memory. Memory and visual acuity must be employed to help both the Writers and the audience to complete the bisected text. The inherent illegibility of bisected text is also further complicated by the brief snatches of words hastily scribbled that have become partial phrases. Additionally, since multiple participants wrote the words and phrases, visual recognition is also impaired by the juxtaposition of multiple handwriting styles. Fragmentation, juxtaposition and text-bisection all meld together to make a kind of poetic discourse about the act of comprehension itself."

Camera & Editing: Nicolas Donnelly

All rights reserved. Reproduction or duplication of image, text, video is prohibited.
© Copyright 2009 by Mark Cameron Boyd. (less info)