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| The Office Assistant - 2005 | |
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Photo: Steven Nehl
| Dates: Monday, October 10 — Friday, November 4 |
| Location: The Portland Building, Portland, OR |
| Times: 8:30am — 4:00pm |
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During a temporary job I had in the corporate world, the office always functioned well, but ‘felt’ even better when the Office Assistant was present. This woman brought a sense of comfort into that cold sterile environment — she did all of the unseen things that the rest of us didn’t know how to do. I often thought of her as providing a comforting blanket of functionality within that office — you could always rely on her "just being there."
This installation symbolizes the comfort experienced in that environment. There is a lot of security in having a routine and identity that a job provides. Even though you might not be happy with your job, you will still come to work on a regular basis, and perform your duties, comfortable in the familiarity of that rhythm. I am doing the same - coming to work each day, performing my duties by being here and making a rug of comfort. You are invited to interrupt my performance — sit and chat, call out to me as you walk through the lobby or use the ATM machine — you might even try to ignore me as you hurry to your next appointment. Artists often strive to create an environment as a work of art. In this installation/performance, I will strive to create an environment as the art of work. Even if you manage to ignore me, I know that you will miss me when I am gone..... |