GRAMSCI MONUMENT

2012

HOME PROGRAM LOCATION THE PROJECT THE MAP ABOUT GRAMSCI CONSTRUCTION DISMANTLING PRESS-KIT
A WORK IN PUBLIC SPACE BY THOMAS HIRSCHHORN, PRODUCED BY DIA ART FOUNDATION NEW YORK
LOCATED AT FOREST HOUSES, THE BRONX - NEW YORK CITY, SUMMER 2013
"Every
human being
is an
Intellectual."
Antonio Gramsci


AMBASSADOR’S NOTE 4

One of the duties of the ambassador is to organize weekly “field trips” outside of the community where Gramsci Monumentis located. The purpose of these visits is to meet with individuals who can tell us what they do and what they enjoy the most about their work. Much ought to be said about this investigation into the nature of work. For the moment, I would like simply to point to the logistical complexity of traveling in public transportation with twelve children between the ages of 9 and 15 from the Bronx to Beacon, New York. Phew! Our first challenge occurred 10 minutes into our expedition when we learned that the MTA changed their regulations and that a Metrocard can only be swiped four times in a row. Fortunately the ticket seller at the Prospect station took pity on us and allowed the group to go through the gate without much fuss (we were not that lucky at the 125th/Harlem station). I will learn two hours into the trip that this first inconvenience will be a gentle bump when compared to the hoops the kids made us jumped through for the remainder of the visit to Dia:Beacon. The first field trip was, as mas like to say, neither "a total failure or a total success." On the one hand, we achieved a few moments of bliss, when the kids seemed engaged in looking at the art and having fun. And we also experienced moments of complete chaos when they were all talking over each other. However, they were a handful of memorable moments: the discussion about the word "originality" in front of Dan Flavin's work, the questions that arise inside Richard Serra's torqued ellipses, and hearing Maja singing "a capella" with Bosco as we walked out of the museum. I would like to express my immense gratitude to the five adults who accompanied me on this adventure: Joyce, Freddie, Jerry, DJ Gucci, and Daniel’s mother. The fact that nobody got hurt or lost was due to their attentiveness and explicit involvement. Second, the staff at Dia:Beacon, Melissa, Bosco and Amanda who saved the day with their warm hospitality and graceful presence. Third, and more importantly, I would like to thank the twelve participants, who dedicated their attention and shared their thoughts on the works of Andy Warhol, Sol LeWitt, Dan Flavin, Donald Judd, Robert Smithson and Richard Serra. As Stanley Scott, one of the chefs of Gramsci bar observed early this morning: "Nobody should complain about parenting until you have twelve of your own! These kids were not even yours!"

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