Response: Culture Laboratory Collective in collaboration with Noah Simblist 
Box 13 Artspace, Houston, TX_ Aug 6- Sep 10, 2011
Olive Tjaden Gallery, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY_ Sep 26-30, 2011
Martha Gault Gallery, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA_ Jan 2012

“I am writing this (self reflexive) sentence but it is writing you.” ~Noah Simblist

Exhibition format: “Response” is part of an ongoing series of exhibitions where Culture Laboratory invites an outside party to propose a theme in the form of a 12 word sentence. Each artist is given a word to ‘consider’ within 4 feet of space. In this exhibit our sentence is contributed by Noah Simblist, Texas based artist, writer, curator and Assoc. Prof. at SMU, Dallas.

Concept: The exhibit involves relational aesthetics, pinpointing the individuality of the artists and our localized attempts to remain a part of the group discussion.  Each artist is naturally unique, so the idea is to promote an artist group that does not attempt to homogenize it’s member’s but allows them a voice that contributes to the vitality of the community.

Box 13 Artspace, Houston, TX:
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Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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Slippery Rock, PA (paired with Response I)
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Ryder’s Piece: AM: Radio Waves Offering Proof of Existence

Noah Simblist offered the sentence: “I am writing this (self reflexive) sentence but it is writing you”

Combing A.M. radio (amplitude modulation broadcasting) and Existentialism –the Lord’s name is “I am” and Descartes philosophy states “I am, I exist”– the piece is designed to pair invisible radio technology with the human desire for self awareness. This awareness is often attempted through understanding and cataloging our surroundings, finding our place in the world.

In this group exhibition “am” attempts to assure it’s place in the exhibit (and sentence) by referencing every other piece in the exhibit, essentially acting as a reflection and catalog of the other works. Using Radio Frequency Identification technology (RFID) the piece establishes connection through radio waves, prompting a website display to list information and location of other works while playing an A.M. radio clip searching through different stations.

The piece overall, questions the nature of existence through documentation, employing new technologies and methods to older philosophies. I intended for the piece to question an existence found through ‘reflection’ or ‘cataloging’, offering sophisticated ease in order to gather information which may promote categorization over considered insight.

* (You may view the website here, but it is really designed for the RFID reader.)

Each artist was also asked to make a link (video or web) for a QR Code. The video for “am” is a visual equivalent of channel surfing while Descartes philosophy and questioning of existence plays throughout the piece. Sort of a graphic mash-up of distraction amidst inquiry.

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