The Remodeling Project

I will be performing today on the dock from 12-6pm as part of Fort Point’s Annual Spring Art Walk Open Studios.

Approximate Performance Schedule:

12 pm : LIGHTING FOR LATER

12:45: IRONING

1:45-2:45 BATHROOM BREAK (sorry I have to pee!)

3 pm PICNINC

4-6 pm GARDEN

Goodnight, I’ll be back to do it all again on Sunday….

photo credit: Dorothea Van Camp

Yesterday I put up a miniature picket fence on the dock. It was cold and I nearly fell in the water multiple times as I strained to screw and nail the fence onto the sides of the dock. It required intense concentration, and because of this, I was able to tune out the people and the cold, and think about what I was doing.

Each piece of the white plastic picket fence I purchased from Wal-Mart was unexpectedly affixed with a red, white and blue sticker that read “Made in the USA”. I guess that made me feel differently than I would have if the pieces had said “Made in China” as I was proudly staking them in my “yard” in an attempt to emulate the American Dream. But I’m not so sure how I do feel that this “imitation” picket fence is proudly made in my country of origin. On the dock, its like a facsimile of a facsimile, a cheap knock-off of the real thing. The following is from a conversation I had with a passerby on the Congress Street bridge: Man: “What are you doin’ out there?!” Me: “Puttin’ up a fence!” Man: “Why? It’s not like nobody could come get you out there!” Me: “I just thought I should have a fence anyway… Thanks!”

The fence is also 13″ tall, meant for a garden, or perhaps those small furry animals that people pass off as dogs these days. Its apt for my take on space in this project- my dock is only 64 square feet- a tiny slice of space in the bosom of the vast city scape. The fence is a symbol for that dream- the one I grew up with, the one that means we’ve accomplished something, that we can own space and protect it. My fence hasn’t quite lived up to it’s symbolic expectations- cheap, plastic and ineffective in protecting my private space- which is… by the way… still FOR RENT.

Photo Credit: Raber Umphenour

Day One of the Remodeling Project Performances:

I meant to get out to the dock today at exactly 5 pm, but that’s not what happened. Like every time one tries to “get out of work on time”, there always just seems to be one thing after the other that curtails that luxury. I was however, embarking on a “reverse” commute, in which I leave my home and travel to work during the time when the rest of the Western working world is frenetically barreling towards “home.”

My personal delays in “commuting on time” included vehicle trouble (a wheel on my dolly had a mind of its own, which made getting the vehicle to the dock on time tricky), then I had forgotten something and so had to go back (I was literally, up a “creek” without my paddle), and then, an experience familiar to many, I just kept “running into people” who wanted to chat. One particular woman in a fancy SUV embarking on her commute, was actually angry that I was taking too long crossing the street (in a crosswalk I might add) due to the fact that I was pulling my vehicle behind me. Her dirty look and hand gestures were not appreciated.

I finally launched from the dock around 5:45 pm, under the watchful and expectant eyes of filmmaker Raber Umphenour and photographer Ryuji Suzuki, who were there to lend moral support (not to mention to take wonderful photos!).

My first experience out on the dock was fairly calm and uneventful. I thought I would be more nervous, feel more awkward. But as I purposefully went about my business, strapping down the FOR RENT sign and then sweeping and scrubrushing the dock, I did perceive the general public taking pause and watching me- but it was fine by me. Somehow, the isolation of the little 8×8 floating island literally awash in a sea of everyday life was the perfect comfort for me, and I hope that I will continue to feel so cocooned as the project progresses.

Wednesday, the lawn goes in.

ps Thanks for your text message Savaas Sypridopoulos, but the place has already been rented!