Monthly Statement:
June 2006

OBJECT # 38
DATE SENT: June 30, 2006
SENT TO: Irwin Harelick
SENT VIA: Hand delivered

DESCRIPTION OF OBJECT: 3 1/2” x 11 1/4” x 14” Quasar brand VCR. Black plastic shell on all sides except bottom, which has an aluminum plate in place for part of the bottom. The logo ‘QUASAR’ is on top left corner and underneath it the model VHQ660. Underneath that is an oval button with the word POWER written on it. There are three buttons on the lower left of the front. Above them are the words VCR/TV and CHANNEL. There is a clear plastic front piece on the lower center. Inscribed on it are the words POWER, VCR, TIMER, REC, HI-FI, STEREO, SAP. Front slot for videotape is hinged to allow insertion of tape. On it is written ‘4 HEAD VHS HI-FI STEREO TRILINGUAL ON SCREEN DISPLAY. The script is in gold and there is a gold line underneath those words. On the bottom right hand side of the front are four buttons. Above the buttons is written REW, PLAY, FF, REC/TIME. Underneath the buttons is written SELECT, SET, PROG. On the top right hand corner is a plastic appliqué in various colors. On it is written Trilingual OSD, EASY PROGRAMMING AND SET UP AUTO DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME. Underneath that is an oval button with the words STOP/EJECT written above it. The top is dusty. The left side has the residue of tape on it. The right side has numerous small slits near the back. The back has 6 RCA plug in spots. There are two red, two white, and two yellow. Next to them is written R, AUDIO 1, OUT , VIDEO 1, IN. There are also two cable inputs, with threads for screwing cable on. Next to them is written IN FROM ANT., VHF/UHF OUT TO TV, 3 CH. 4. There is an information tag on the back with the serial number and other pertinent information. The AC plug is affixed to the back left of the VCR.

ORIGIN AND APPROXIMATE DATE OF POSSESSION OF OBJECT: Loaned to me by Irwin in October 2004.

MOST RECENT LOCATION OF OBJECT: On the floor of my studio in the southwest corner.

RELATION OF OBJECT TO RECIPIENT: This VCR belongs to Irwin. He lent it to me for an exhibition of my work at VertexList Gallery in Brooklyn, NY in October, 2004. I needed it for a multiple channel video installation and Irwin was kind enough to let me have it for the run of the exhibit. In fact, I had first encountered this same VCR when I was at Irwin’s apartment and helped him hook it up to his cable box. I am not sure if I did it properly, or if he was able to record and or view tapes from it. But once I had the machine in my possession, Irwin stated, “you can keep it as long as you want; I don’t use it”. So, I imagined that my attempt didn’t get it properly working anyway. None-the-less, the VCR has been in my studio since the exhibit, unused, and I thought it finally time to give it back. I am well aware that it is a piece of technology that is basically outmoded these days, though many people still use them for taping and viewing those tapes they still have from pre-DVD days.

I have known Irwin for nearly ten years, since he joined the men’s group I belong to (see d-acum 36 twin dogs). Irwin has been an active member all those years, and someone whose presence in the group and my life I value. Over the last seven years since I have been playing tennis Irwin and I have talked about doing so together since he has been playing most of his life, but our schedules, injuries, and my own reluctance to face someone whom I knew to be a superior player stopped me. This past spring, however, we began playing a bit. I was right. He is a far better player than I on every count. But, I find I can be somewhat competitive with him at times, if I don’t let myself get too psyched out.
I doubt Irwin will use this VCR much, and he might have preferred me to trash it. However, like all good volleys, I had to at least attempt a return.

RESPONSE OF RECIPIENT:

DATE OF RESPONSE:

Process: My plan is to de-accumulate objects I now own during the course of the exhibition year. I will photograph the selected object then send the object with a letter to a person who has some relationship to the object or whom I think might be interested in the object. The letter will discuss the project and tell the receiver they can keep the object, destroy it, give it away, recycle it or anything else they choose. I will ask them to document it in the place they now have it and send their image and/or written description back to me of what they did with it and where it is. I plan on de-accumulating an average of one object per week. The new images/descriptions will be placed in a plastic folder and exhibited along with a photograph of the object as it was in my possession.