Manifesto
Conté crayon and colored pencil on canvas, thread, sourced audio. 2025
8' x 13'​​
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Manifesto is a multimedia installation that, along with sourced audio comprising the secondary component, Tip of the Tongue, explores the role of language when it loses its ability to communicate. Like the accompanying audio components, Manifesto approximates something recognizable as language - vertical lines grouped together stand in as substitutions for the letter groupings of words in existing texts including Kahlil Gibran’s The Prophet; the book of Ecclesiastes, writings by the artist, Jenny Holzer; Aesop’s Fables; Raymond Williams’ book, Keywords; personal journal entries; and excerpts from Julia Kristeva’s essay, Power of Horrors. Vertical marks make loose reference to cave drawings in a Sicilian Cave that remain undecipherable. The intent at communication is clear, but like the 28 canvas pieces in this work, the meaning remains elusive. Where are we as a society when our ability to rely on language as a means of communication - whether a lack of veracity undermines the purpose of language or language (and information) has been withheld, maybe censored, as a means of control - is compromised?
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Tip of the Tongue
Sourced audio. 2025
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Juju
00:30
In this clip, the listener works to sort through almost intelligible sound, like the rise and fall of voices on the other side of the wall.
Prisencolinensinainciusol, 1972
Adriano Celentano
03:30
Adriano Celentano, an Italian singer and songwriter, penned and performed this song in 1972 with his wife, Claudia Mori. Prisencolinensinainciusol incorporates his perception of the hallmark sounds common in American English, yet the words were completely made up. Celentano in part sought to explore communication barriers, and the way foreign languages sound to those who don’t speak them.
Vocalise, 1915
Sergei Rachmaninoff
As performed, 04:03
Sergei Rachmaninoff composed Vocalise in 1915 for soprano or tenor and piano. There are no words; Vocalise is sung using one vowel chosen by the singer.