Language Generator -

As a visual artist and a performer, I often rely on developments of motifs and the idea that a piece is not repeatable, but may have a long life of variations. In this regard, i have a several such pieces. I am always developing new work as well, but these pieces may all have a life in variation. I have accumulated a number of such distinct works. "Language Generator" falls into this category. I began this piece in 1983. It was a solo piece, a duet, and ensemble piece, as well as a public workshop project.  It had a duration of anywhere from 6 hours to one week. This is what is done. I enter a gallery space with newsprint paper, markers, scotch tape, and a box of objects. For the duration of the piece, I examine the objects, one at a time, and make a noise to go with it, then, a line or symbol on the paper.  I then post the result on the walls. I move on to the next object, play with it, etc. Other words develop, for them and things to do with them. I use no previous language in this process, so this is a new language. Over the duration of the piece, the gallery turns into a dictionary of the language as it is established. Each performance/ installation of this piece always has its own dynamic and contours. That is why i have done it perhaps 20 or more times. The last time of performed it was in 2003, but recent events in my personal life, specifically a move to Taiwan, and the cultural and language difference i experience there gave me new thought on this project, and made me again curious about the origins of language, and what language is. This project is a means of addressing questions in a simple, unscientific way. I will perform it as solo, but if anyone wishes to join in, it is open to that - it is after all, about communication.

bio: Lewis Gesner has been a performance and visual artist for several decades, and has presented work internationally for some years. He presently lives in the US and Taiwan, and is a Mobius Artist Group member, presently on leave.