CONCEPTIVITY/CONNECTIVITY: Dimensionality And Displacement In The Work of IAIN BAXTER&

Posted: July 27, 2012 | Author: David Bellman

CONCEPTIVITY/CONNECTIVITY:

Dimensionality And Displacement

In The Work of IAIN BAXTER&

David Bellman

CAUSA

July 23, 2012

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Part II

Precursory Provisions

 

“Infinity is the Fleeting, the Fleeting is the Vanishing,

the Vanishing is the Reverting.”

– Lao Tzu (c. 600 B.C.E.)

 

1.

THIS STATEMENT WILL BE, IS BEING, HAS BEEN SENT BY TELEX

[Statement Series, 1968-69.]

Telex transmission from N.E. THING CO. (North Vancouver) to Nova Scotia College of Art and Design (via Simon Fraser University Library, Burnaby), September 15, 1969.

[In September, 1969, IAIN BAXTER& assumed a position in the Centre for Communications and the Arts, SimonFraserUniversity. Being responsible for starting a Visual Arts Department, his aim was to cultivate “visual sensitivity” in students – without attempting to produce professional artists.]

 

2.

ORAL WORK.

Baxter (North Vancouver) to Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax, September 15, 1969.

Documentation:

Nova Scotia College of Art and Design memorandum.

 

3.

ORAL WORK.

North Vancouver City Library. (Forming part of a multi-site exhibition, IAIN BAXTER&: Information/Location, North Vancouver, presented at North Vancouver Museum/North Vancouver City Library/North Vancouver Archives/Loutet Urban Farm. June 17 – December 30, 2012.)

[Photograph: M. Cynog Evans, 2012.]

 

4.

A WORD IS WORTH 1/1000^TH OF A PICTURE

[Statement Series, 1968-69.]

Documentation:

Telex transmission from N.E. THING CO. (Projects Department), North Vancouver (via Simon Fraser University Library, Burnaby) to Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax (September 18, 1969).

 

5.

“A Word Is Worth 1/1000^th Of A Picture.” Wall text, 2011.

[Presented as part of the exhibition IAIN BAXTER&: New (Nomadic) Works: 1969 / 2011, Artspeak, Vancouver.]

[Photograph: M. Cynog Evans, 2012.]

 

6.

THIS STATEMENT IS A MURAL

[Statement Series, 1968-69.]

Telex transmission from N.E. THING CO. (Projects Department), North Vancouver (via Simon Fraser University Library, Burnaby), to Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Halifax (September 19, 1969).

Original instructions to NSCAD students: “Get 3” gold sticky letters and stick on some polished stone surface….”

[Photograph: M. Cynog Evans, 2012.]

 

7.

“This Statement Is Actually A Mural.” Wall text, 2011.

[Presented as part of the exhibition IAIN BAXTER&: New (Nomadic) Works]: 1969 / 2011.]

 

8.

“Take a piece of chalk and draw on any chalkable surface until the chalk disappears. Photodocument.”

Documentation: Telex from N.E. THING CO., North Vancouver (via SimonFraserUniversity Library, Burnaby), to Nova ScotiaCollege of Art and Design, Halifax, October 3, 1969.

 

9.

Chalk drawing, following Iain Baxter instructions (from 1969). Executed (at the North VancouverMuseum) by Kevin Day, June, 2012.

 

10.

Chiba Garden Redux, digital colour photograph © IAIN BAXTER&, 2012

IAIN BAXTER& studied and travelled extensively in Japan (1961-62), exploring local traditions of visual culture and Buddhist philosophy.

ChibaGarden is located in North Vancouver (200-block, West Esplanade). Linking the City of North Vancouver and its sister city, Chiba, this authentic Japanese garden was opened to the public in 1986. BAXTER& made his first visit to the site in June, 2012.

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I know

The world is not

How it appears to be;

And yet how evanescent things are!

– Ryokan (1758-1831)

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