Guerilla Mission Accomplished

We put the posters up in Delhi today, I and a photographer accomplice who documented the mission. The posters were woodcut prints of myself, trying to make sense of India-- I know, hard to picture without a visual. But maybe it's better that way. We went to a bustling hub in the city, I with my fat brush, tub of glue, and armful of hand-printed posters. It's funny how having a mission can give you a sense of ownership over a place, particularly an enigmatic and overwhelming city like Delhi.

I'm seeing the clear advantages of displaying art in a non-major art city, as it's easier to create interest. I put up a poster on a trash can in a crowded bazaar, and before I had half the sheet glued down, a small, inquisitive crowd had gathered. I did avoid the metro station for a weenie fear of security cameras and guards galore, though I was prepared to bribe policemen. But only two people discouraged me and both were very polite, one saying "Please, miss, this is not possible. Is not permitted. I'm sorry miss." Another followed me after I'd just pasted one, apologetically explaining, "I do not know if this is legal. There may be some law, I do not know. I just thought you should know." Sweet, really. Other responses included: "What is this? A poster for a missing child?" and "Miss, what is the meaning? I thought maybe this was some terrorist..."

We avoided dialogue, although my intention wasn't to be evasive about meaning-- crowds just happen too quickly in Delhi. I mostly gave short anwswers like, "It's art." And they seemed happy with that answer, some very much so, as one man exclaimed, "Yes! This is fantastic!" I think my accomplice and I both had that odd satisfaction that often comes with putting yourself in uncomfortable, vulnerable positions. And I was reminded how much I love art outside of galleries-- and I'm not talking about big red metal things.

TV Land

I was there today, although I can't tell you exactly what it was like. I was on the morning news, but I didn't actually see my debut-- was just told I'd be airing at 8:30 this morning. A film crew came to the Village yesterday after seeing a press release about the upcoming residency exhibition. So they interviewed and filmed a few of us. It's encouraging that art creates as much interest as it does here. I think I'd maybe take interest over understanding, if I had to choose. Interest, in general, implies a humility I think, that there's something that you don't know and want to be taught. Of course, I'm not talking about the fake, patronizing interest-- though that's not necessarily bad. Or maybe it's assumed understanding that can be so disappointing-- on either end, for the audience who refuses to engage the art, ask the difficult questions because they believe to already understand-- and for the artist who assumes the audience can read his mind and does not need to be further engaged.