WORDS TEND TO BE INADEQUATE —Jenny Holzer, from her “Truisms” series
Jul 14, 2015
MainstreaM cultureCore beliefs, values, and behaviors that have been maintained and are accepted by a majority of Americans.
autHoritatiVe VoiceClearly accurate or knowledgeable
*Consider how location, medium, and / or person delivering message changes the listeners / viewers perception
FraMeworK 1970s
People questioning social structures
(class, gender roles, race)
Discontent with the U.S. government
due to Vietnam War.
worKPlaces texts on a variety of locations and materials which are usually reserved for “authorities”
best Known ForSeries title: “Truisms” 1977–PresentA series of common statements (in the US) and random phrases which seem to be rooted in tradition.
buildinGsSeries title: “Projections” 1993–PresentWorldwide
Text: Utilizes a variety of phrases and sayings. Includes things that she has written and things other people have written.
Holzer’s work has impact because it appears in places that typically feature commercial or governmental messages
*Consider how a message changes when it is placed on a t-shirt? On a giant LED screen?
step 1:Write your own “Truism.”It can be about anything, directed towards anyone, yourself, others, people in power.It can be serious, humurous, sarcastic. Anything that you want, really.
step 3:Mail it to anyone you want. Barack Obama? CEO of a big company? Oregon State Representative? Owner of a local business chain?
sourcesJenny Holzer - Projections. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.jennyholzer.com/>.
“Jenny Holzer.” Cheim & Read. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.cheimread.com/
artists/jenny-holzer/?view=selected>.
“Jenny Holzer: Truisms.” Tiere, Die Dem Kaiser Gehören. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://
mfx.dasburo.com/art/truisms.html>.
“Tate Collection | Truisms by Jenny Holzer.” Tate: British and International Modern
and Contemporary Art. Web. 24 Oct. 2011. <http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/
ViewWork?workid=6691>.