A Question of Language - Ruud Janssen, Marie Wintzer, Katerina NIKOLTSOU

[cheryl penn]

From Ruud Janssen - a new FLUXUS word - which brought me to the question of language - YES I KNOW - AGAIN!!!

I read somewhere that language can be seen as the ‘signature’ style of conceptual art.  From the late 1960’s there was a  breakdown in distinction between the space of the publication and the space of exhibition.  Words flew from books, publications and the printed page onto walls and canvas and land.  Language became a tool for the artist – a model for understanding art, as well as the site of new problems. Words became isolated, removed from specific contexts to roam free – here I am thinking of work like Ed Ruscha’s Electric.  Words became entities in their own right. 

SCORE : FLUXUS WORDS

By Ruud Janssen

1. Think of a new word that doesn’t exist

2. Promote it as a new word

3. Determine the meaning of the word

4. Promote the word worldwide

September 1988

Thats a LONG time to be generating a new language.

I am determining  the meaning of ZOLAI as

The study of all FLUXUS words generated by Ruud Janssen (Netherlands) beginning with the letter Z. 

REVISED ZALOP CHART

And what about our physical effects on language?  We can cut it up and block it out, substantially altering its meaning and substance with physical interference - as this work from Marie Wintzer (japan). shows. “I wrote a .. of letters and tore them all up”… What route are we taking with all this I have to wonder.  This work was sent in the context of the Dream series, but I think it suitably enhances my discussion here :-). Do you know how vocabulary has shrunk? How sad this is? I am thinking a variety of grunts seem to be taking over :-(.... I have taken to calling these works of Maire - Cut-It-Out Works :-)

The labyrinth of language?

A maze within we negotiate our way through life, Attempting to set parameters and find meaning through verbal and artistic expression.  This was supposed to be a 3-d piece – external forces interfered with the artist and words becomes embedded within and on themselves, creating an unintended palimpsest. 

For sure I  think language is user friendly - one just has make friends with it!

Language as I understand it, is a tool with social functions. It has the ability to transform as cultural situations change. We now have recognizable language that incorporates numbers – for example - the word gr8.

And then there is the formulation of new words – Trashpo? I think that was De Villo Sloan? And now its used with frequency, an accepted word form. Red/Re(a)d?

I received this Trashbook from Katerina NIKOLTSOU – again, the moving of words and items out their original context to create a new form of expression – this time in a very old, very  traditional format -  the book. 

Red Angel?

ZALOP - the original Fluxus word I received from Ruud has made an impact when one googles it - as an image or as a word. The increasing frequency with which ones uses these new words enhances the world wide promotion of them.

[Marie Wintzer]

I thought that was quite poetic ;-(  OK, I won't quit my day job yet.

I wasn't wondering, but signing in Austin is a great idea and would be great addition to the label. Let's see what he says.

[De Villo Sloan]

I'm trying to sign Austin to the MinXus Music label, if you were wondering.

[De Villo Sloan]

Inhaling a little too much ether in the lab Marie?

[Marie Wintzer]

It's early and I have no idea what you guys are talking about. I think I'm still living in yesterday's time. Imagine if actual words came out of people's mouth when they talked. Maybe people would have different fonts? And words would look differently if you were angry or sad or kind... they would come out and float around for a while. If two people had a conversation, words would slowly tangle up in the air, then disappear....

[De Villo Sloan]

What kind? Dark wall - the real Dark wall - has a Les Paul Epiphone - his pride and joy. He's into Slip Knot.

[Austin Wills James]

He most definitely was, speaking of which I got a new guitar yesterday, yay!

[De Villo Sloan]

I feel for you AWJ. Any kind of dental surgery is hideous. The Beatles really sat on George - only allowing one song per side per album. He probably did better once he got free of it - a great guitar player too.

[Austin Wills James]

I always have seemed to enjoy George's songs the most. The upside to the surgery is not grinding them to bits in my sleep anymore. :)

-AWJ-

[De Villo Sloan]

"But you'll have to have them all pulled out after the Savoy truffles"

"Savoy Truffles," White Album, Side 4

 

George Harrison had horrible teeth problems too. One day he and Eric Clapton were sitting around jamming and composed that little ditty about George's teeth. You never know where a song will come from.

[Austin Wills James]

All this dental chatter is giving me flashbacks to when I had to have all my teeth removed, & the sockets packed with bone powder. NOT a pleasant experience.

-AWJ-