No differences.
Edited on 2014-08-17 15:13:53 by DanielLadnar
Additions:
It is the last day. I should come up with something great to finish things off. But I'm tired. Maybe this would have been the most risky thing to do: nothing. It's not a strike. It's not a holiday. I'm still here, but it's over.
Deletions:
Last day at work. There will be no plan for the day today.
It is the last day. I should come up with something great to finish things off. But I'm tired, and my thoughts keep drifting to the presentation I have to do about this project on Tuesday (the format: Pecha Kucha - originally invented as a forum for designers now taken up by the business world - weird similarities to my project). Also, I found out that the whole building is closing down at 4.30. But I think it's okay to go home early today, I have worked some extra hours, mostly at the beginning of the week. I have made no plan for today, because I felt I didn't have time before to reflect on what I have been doing the last few days. Having made no plan, the first impulse I had today that was to go back and take some of the pictures again, make them better.
On the one hand, I didn't censor myself this week - I put out lots of things without giving it time to consider them properly. On the other hand I did censor myself - because I knew I would put out stuff immediately I probably didn't take many risks, didn't even consider doing things that would have needed time to be thought through properly. And more so, I didn't consider putting nothing out. Maybe this would have been the most risky thing to do: nothing. It's not a strike. It's not a holiday. I'm still here, but it's over.
Edited on 2014-08-17 15:09:26 by DanielLadnar
Additions:
Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine's Day ... the working year structured according to the holidays. Christmas music from end of November.
Deletions:
Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine's Day ... the working year structured according to the holidays. Christmas music from end of November. Michael Jackson singing about seeing his mummy kissing Santa Clause. The regular music selection: there should be an investigation what listening to sad love songs all day does with your mind. When I hear certain songs being played somewhere today, my reaction is a mixture of panic and relief.
Edited on 2014-08-17 15:07:53 by DanielLadnar
Deletions:
In preparation for today, I took some time yesterday morning to make little sculptures from Blu Tack and put them on the wall next to my desk. I put little post-it notes next to them with the titles. This morning, five past nine, I opened the door to my room to find that - even though I had put up a sign saying "Please don't remove anything. Thanks!" - the post-it notes had been moved to the trash, and I found a big lump of Blu Tack in one of the plastic bags on my desk.
Edited on 2014-08-17 15:06:24 by DanielLadnar
Deletions:
5 minutes late. This actually feels like going to work
The Room Next Door: Open Access Life Drawing
Today I peeped into the room next door. There is a sign saying Open Access Life Drawing. I am claiming the status of art for what I am doing. This is very much a given considering the environment I am doing it in: an art school. While this morning I complained, now that my working day is coming to an end I have to admit to the luxury of what I am doing. There are no material needs behind it, and who would care if I didn't come to work tomorrow?
Edited on 2014-08-17 15:01:31 by DanielLadnar
Additions:
These are excerpts from the work of that week.
I am working but it isn't. I've got no internet in my room and there are difficulties with putting images online. I like the room I'm working in, though. Only that there are too many chairs. This makes me feel lonely. But there is a ventilation system that makes a comforting humming sound.
Deletions:
I am working but it isn't. I've got no internet in my room and there are difficulties with putting images online. I like the room I'm working in, though. Only that there are too many chairs. This makes me feel lonely. But there is a ventilation system that makes a comforting nerve-wracking humming sound.
Edited on 2014-08-17 14:52:05 by DanielLadnar
Additions:
From Monday to Friday, 9 to 5, I made work about work. I tried not to be late. I tried not to work extra hours. I took lunch breaks, cigarette breaks, toilet breaks. Every morning, I stumbled out of bed, tumbled to the kitchen, poured myself a cup of ambition ...
I considered former jobs where the seemingly anachronistic 9 to 5-model was very much a reality for me. Was my job as a sales assistant at a card shop actually a happening commissioned by Birthdays Limited? Has the 1960s desire for a blurring of art and life (formulated e.g. by Allan Kaprow) been fulfilled in the often precarious working conditions of workers in the so-called creative industries?
In 2004, I was commissioned by Manpower and the German Post to make a piece about human communication in a period of transformation, about missed opportunities and ephemerality. No: I was hired by Manpower to work for the Post in the dead letter department at Frankfurt Airport. I was hired for three weeks, but fired along with my co-workers after one week because we couldn't return the amount of letters a day that was required. We were told a number on the first day, I don't remember what it was, but we did never even get close. Most of the letters we had to return to their senders were either adressed to people that had died, or, less frequently but still quite often, to places that didn't exist anymore: Karl-Marx-Stadt, Karl-Marx-Universitaet.
Deletions:
From Monday to Friday, 9 to 5, I made work about work.
I will tried not to be late. I tried not to work extra hours. I took lunch breaks, cigarette breaks, toilet breaks. Every morning, I stumbled out of bed, tumbled to the kitchen, poured myself a cup of ambition ...
I considered former jobs where the seemingly anachronistic 9 to 5-model was very much a reality for me. Was my job as a sales assistant at a card shop actually a happening commissioned by Birthdays Limited? Has the 1960s desire for a blurring of art and life (formulated e.g. by Allan Kaprow) been fulfilled in the often precarious working conditions of workers in the so-called creative industries? Is there an escape from art? Can I go on strike?
back
It's working. I did not want to get up this morning. I did, though, took a shower but didn't bother to shave, put on my suit, had breakfast and left. Was there on time. Tired, although I've had enough sleep. Now I'm sitting here, contemplating what I'd rather do. I am going for another cigarette. I am bored.
In 2004, I was commissioned by Manpower and the German Post to make a piece about human communication in a period of transformation, about missed opportunities and ephemerality. No: I was hired by Manpower to work for the Post in the dead letter department at Frankfurt Airport. I was hired for three weeks, but fired along with my co-workers after one week because we couldn't return the amount of letters a day that was required. We were told a number on the first day, I don't remember what it was, but we did never even get close. Most of the letters we had to return to their senders were either adressed to people that had died, or, less frequently but still quite often, to places that didn't exist anymore: Karl-Marx-Stadt, Karl-Marx-Universitaet. I usually don't like my art to be that symbolic.
back
Edited on 2014-08-17 14:49:41 by DanielLadnar
Additions:
Allan Kaprow: Chores
"Sweeping the dust from the floor of a room/ Spreading the dust in another room, so it won't be noticed/ Continuing daily ..."
Deletions:
Allan Kaprow: Chores
"Sweeping the dust from the floor of a room/ Spreading the dust in another room, so it won't be noticed/ Continuing daily ..."
Edited on 2014-08-17 14:49:17 by DanielLadnar
Additions:
9 to 5
Allan Kaprow: Chores"Sweeping the dust from the floor of a room/ Spreading the dust in another room, so it won't be noticed/ Continuing daily ..."
From Monday to Friday, 9 to 5, I made work about work.
I will tried not to be late. I tried not to work extra hours. I took lunch breaks, cigarette breaks, toilet breaks. Every morning, I stumbled out of bed, tumbled to the kitchen, poured myself a cup of ambition ...
I considered former jobs where the seemingly anachronistic 9 to 5-model was very much a reality for me. Was my job as a sales assistant at a card shop actually a happening commissioned by Birthdays Limited? Has the 1960s desire for a blurring of art and life (formulated e.g. by Allan Kaprow) been fulfilled in the often precarious working conditions of workers in the so-called creative industries? Is there an escape from art? Can I go on strike?
9 to 5, January 14th
You did think you were dressed to the occasion, but then you realise that through your new white shirt everyone can see your nipples.
You might as well be standing there with no shirt at all.
I am working but it isn't. I've got no internet in my room and there are difficulties with putting images online. I like the room I'm working in, though. Only that there are too many chairs. This makes me feel lonely. But there is a ventilation system that makes a comforting nerve-wracking humming sound.
.
9 to 5, January 15th
5 minutes late. This actually feels like going to work 
Costume 1: National Library
At the National Library, I cleaned books and music sheets (Mozart, mostly) using a vacuum cleaner. I was wearing a mask and latex gloves against the dust. I brought my own apron. When I told a friend about my job at the library, she told me to give my vacuum cleaner a name. I did not want to. I did not want to be personally involved with my work. I enjoyed going home not thinking about it. Yet I had written in my application how much I love books.
If you're paid by the hour take your time
For example: You're asked how long it will take you to finish a certain task. You think it will take three hours. Tell them you need five hours to finish it, be finished after four hours: you win one hour while still appearing to be a fast worker.
Dust
Score for a happening
Go to the music collection of your local library. Collect the dust from a book of or about a dead composer. Take the dust to a silent room. Spread it on the floor. Wait for the ghost/the music to appear.
Dust II
Score for a happening
At the library, find a book covered with dust. Take it out. Bring it back clean the next day.
Work
Score for a happening
Sit at your desk. Wait until it is covered with dust. Go back to work.
Work II
Score for a happening
Sit at your desk. Wait for the phone to ring. Wait for the phone to stop ringing.
back
9 to 5, January 16th
It's working. I did not want to get up this morning. I did, though, took a shower but didn't bother to shave, put on my suit, had breakfast and left. Was there on time. Tired, although I've had enough sleep. Now I'm sitting here, contemplating what I'd rather do. I am going for another cigarette. I am bored. 
Costume II: Manpower - I was wearing everyday clothes
In 2004, I was commissioned by Manpower and the German Post to make a piece about human communication in a period of transformation, about missed opportunities and ephemerality. No: I was hired by Manpower to work for the Post in the dead letter department at Frankfurt Airport. I was hired for three weeks, but fired along with my co-workers after one week because we couldn't return the amount of letters a day that was required. We were told a number on the first day, I don't remember what it was, but we did never even get close. Most of the letters we had to return to their senders were either adressed to people that had died, or, less frequently but still quite often, to places that didn't exist anymore: Karl-Marx-Stadt, Karl-Marx-Universitaet. I usually don't like my art to be that symbolic.
The Room Next Door: Open Access Life Drawing
Today I peeped into the room next door. There is a sign saying Open Access Life Drawing. I am claiming the status of art for what I am doing. This is very much a given considering the environment I am doing it in: an art school. While this morning I complained, now that my working day is coming to an end I have to admit to the luxury of what I am doing. There are no material needs behind it, and who would care if I didn't come to work tomorrow?
back
9 to 5, January 17th
In preparation for today, I took some time yesterday morning to make little sculptures from Blu Tack and put them on the wall next to my desk. I put little post-it notes next to them with the titles. This morning, five past nine, I opened the door to my room to find that - even though I had put up a sign saying "Please don't remove anything. Thanks!" - the post-it notes had been moved to the trash, and I found a big lump of Blu Tack in one of the plastic bags on my desk.
When I worked at Birthdays, we used Blu Tack a lot to put up signs and posters. On a quiet day, I would stand behind the counter and make little Blu Tack sculptures.
Costume III: Birthdays
I worked as a sales assistant at Birthdays for almost a year. I got paid minimum wage, had a contract for 16 hours a week but as there was usually a lack of staff I would often work twice as much. When I finally quit I was - apart from the manager - the person who had worked there longest.
Thinking about Birthdays now, what comes to mind are a number of anecdotes: about the blind man coming into the store now and again asking me to read poems from Anniversary cards to him till I got the suspicion he actually just liked being read love poetry to; about the woman who tried to steal the big Winnie-the-Pooh soft toy every now and then, but then was happy to just carry it around the store for a while; about having to wear a grave digger costume to work for Halloween. But that's not what it was about: when I was asked what had happened at work after a day at Birthdays, I would usually just say: nothing much.
When I worked at Birthdays, I usually started at nine but had to be there at quarter to to count up the tills. I wasn't getting paid for counting the money, though.
Christmas, Easter, Halloween, Valentine's Day ... the working year structured according to the holidays. Christmas music from end of November. Michael Jackson singing about seeing his mummy kissing Santa Clause. The regular music selection: there should be an investigation what listening to sad love songs all day does with your mind. When I hear certain songs being played somewhere today, my reaction is a mixture of panic and relief.
Some days I just didn't want to sell helium balloons anymore.
9 to 5, January 18th
Last day at work. There will be no plan for the day today.
Something I should have done yesterday
It is the last day. I should come up with something great to finish things off. But I'm tired, and my thoughts keep drifting to the presentation I have to do about this project on Tuesday (the format: Pecha Kucha - originally invented as a forum for designers now taken up by the business world - weird similarities to my project). Also, I found out that the whole building is closing down at 4.30. But I think it's okay to go home early today, I have worked some extra hours, mostly at the beginning of the week. I have made no plan for today, because I felt I didn't have time before to reflect on what I have been doing the last few days. Having made no plan, the first impulse I had today that was to go back and take some of the pictures again, make them better.
On the one hand, I didn't censor myself this week - I put out lots of things without giving it time to consider them properly. On the other hand I did censor myself - because I knew I would put out stuff immediately I probably didn't take many risks, didn't even consider doing things that would have needed time to be thought through properly. And more so, I didn't consider putting nothing out. Maybe this would have been the most risky thing to do: nothing. It's not a strike. It's not a holiday. I'm still here, but it's over.
Daniel Ladnar, Swansea, January 14th - January 18th 2007
9 to 5 was presented as an installation at the MA Contemporary Dialogues Show Entrance and Exit, Swansea, June 2008, and as a lecture performance at Showroom Aberystwyth in June 2008, at emergency 08, greenroom, Manchester, September 2008, and at Supper Club, The Basement, Brighton, March 2010.
Edited on 2009-04-19 19:18:23 by DanielLadnar
Deletions:
sugar dust
Juxtaposition of materials/objects that could be called evocative. Does that invite you to read it as symbolic/metaphoric ? and of what exactly? Mystification?
Archive/Library
Carolyn Steedman: Dust: The Archive and Cultural History- the existence of an "archive fever proper": the dust of old books as a cause of disease
- historiography as listening to the voices of the dead found in the archive
Derrida: Archive Fever
- institutional aspects of the archive
- the archive speaking to the future
Borges: The Library of Babel
a library including all possible combinations of the letters of the alphabet will include anything that could ever be written/thought, yet noone could find it (a version of the "infinite monkey theorem")
Orbs
back
Edited on 2008-02-09 22:32:40 by DanielLadnar
Additions:
Juxtaposition of materials/objects that could be called evocative. Does that invite you to read it as symbolic/metaphoric ? and of what exactly? Mystification?
Deletions:
Juxtaposition of materials/objects that could be called evocative. Invites you to read it as symbolic/metaphoric ? but of what exactly?
Edited on 2008-02-07 13:36:42 by DanielLadnar
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sugar dust
Edited on 2008-02-06 22:56:04 by DanielLadnar
Additions:
Juxtaposition of materials/objects that could be called evocative. Invites you to read it as symbolic/metaphoric ? but of what exactly?
Deletions:
Edited on 2008-02-06 22:54:44 by DanielLadnar
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Deletions:
Edited on 2008-02-06 22:53:50 by DanielLadnar
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Edited on 2008-02-06 22:52:13 by DanielLadnar
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Edited on 2008-02-06 22:51:56 by DanielLadnar
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Edited on 2008-02-05 21:45:37 by DanielLadnar
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Archive/Library
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dust
Edited on 2008-02-05 21:44:59 by DanielLadnar
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Oldest known version of this page was edited on 2008-02-05 21:44:18 by DanielLadnar []
Page view:
dust
Carolyn Steedman: Dust: The Archive and Cultural History
- the existence of an "archive fever proper": the dust of old books as a cause of disease
- historiography as listening to the voices of the dead found in the archive
Derrida: Archive Fever
- institutional aspects of the archive
- the archive speaking to the future
Borges: The Library of Babel
a library including all possible combinations of the letters of the alphabet will include anything that could ever be written/thought, yet noone could find it (a version of the "infinite monkey theorem")
Orbs
back