Monthly Statement:
June 2006

OBJECT #40
DATE SENT: June 30, 2006
SENT TO: George W. Bush (NB)
SENT VIA: US Postal Service

DESCRIPTION OF OBJECT: American flag pin in sealed 2 1/2” x 2” clear plastic bag. Flag is 3/4” x 3/4” and is made of unidentifiable metal, which has been painted gold. Fifty gold dots represent the stars on cloth American flags. The gold dots are on a field of blue, and this blue is outlined with gold. The stripes are red (seven total) and white (six total). They are each separated by gold, and the entire flag has a gold border. There is a gold ‘pole’ upon which the flag is mounted. The pin is shaped in such a way so as to mimic it waving in a breeze. The back of the flag is gold, with a square grid pattern and the letters USA in an oval. There is a pin adhered to the back of the flag to allow for affixing it to a piece of clothing, for example. There is a small round clasp that will secure the pin in place. It is gold as well.

ORIGIN AND APPROXIMATE DATE OF POSSESSION OF OBJECT: Given to me during a parade by a veteran, in approximately 2004.

MOST RECENT LOCATION OF OBJECT: In the northeast corner of my studio, on a table.

RELATION OF OBJECT TO RECIPIENT: This pin is familiarly worn by myriad politicians, celebrities, and un-heralded Americans, as well as by nationals of other countries. Wearing the pin is shorthand for patriotism, for support of American ideals. While the ideals and principles are lofty and well meaning, they have infrequently been applied to the broad spectrum of the population. For most of the country’s history, it has applied mainly to the economically privileged, and those with some power, political or otherwise. George W. Bush, the man who was illegitimately placed into the office of the president, wears one constantly, and has for many years. Unfortunately, he and all those who accompany him in his administration of the United States have done more to eradicate the ideals that this flag is supposed to symbolize. While the flag’s symbolic effect is up-lifting for many, Bush and his accomplices’ activities have been absolutely in keeping with the more nefarious deeds that this country has perpetrated, while mouthing notions of liberty and equality. Unfortunately, Bush et al have gone further than many in their destruction of both the afore-mentioned inherent rights. The flag, therefore, has now lost even its symbolic purpose, and been reduced to jingoism, put into service of a political agenda that is exclusionary, corrupt, and self-serving. It seems to me that until these people stop using this symbol, its original intent has been subverted. They have succeeded in destroying something that, at least conceptually, once had hope and promise.

RESPONSE OF RECIPIENT:

DATE OF RESPONSE:

NB While this pin is being sent to the recipient named above, he is merely the figurehead of a group who equally deserve the blame for the further demise of democracy in this country.

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.