Our attention has recently been drawn to an
opportunity to address the White House
Background
While brainstorming ideas for this show, we were interested
in opening up a space to engage how the diversity of people we know are living
their lives, asking: what are peopleÕs concerns as artists, producers, parents,
educators, citizens, children, workers, organizers, activists, etc? What are
people thinking, making and doing? How are they getting by, financially,
emotionally or otherwise, within this particular moment?
We were also interested in the kinds of language we have to
express such matters—whether the ways we are accustomed to describing our
lives really do express what we hope them to. And if so, is such language
compatible with political expression, allowing what we mean to say to enter
into the decisions and processes which determine how we live?
During some late night web searching, we noticed that at http://www.whitehouse.gov/interactive, one can ÒSubmit a QuestionÓ to the White House, with the possibility of
having it posted to the official White House webpage, answered by the likes of
John Snow, Alberto Gonzales, and other Cabinet and staff members (which we
should point out happens rarely).
Thinking that some people would treat such an opportunity
earnestly, others as futile and ridiculous, we decided to use ÒSubmitting a
Question to the White HouseÓ as a structure through which people address the
questions we have for them (how are you living your lifeÉ).
Proposal
We would like to ask you to submit a question to the White
House and then share that question with us, for inclusion in an archive of
questions which will make up an exhibition at Crazy Space Gallery in Santa
Monica, California, to open September 10th, 2005.
We have no intention of directing what you formulate as your
question, but for the sake of this project, we would at least like to share
with you the following thoughts to more clearly outline our interests:
With this said, weÕre hoping that you can respond to this
email as to your interest in participating as soon as is possible. We will then
need your final question as submitted to the White House by Sunday, August
28th. The final questions will be organized in the gallery for a two week
period in some yet to be determined, terribly interesting manner, and possibly
printed in a short booklet.
We look forward to hearing back from you,
Taisha Paggett and Ashley Hunt