Date: 13 May 2011
To: The Agency of Unrealized Projects
From: Buzz Spector
RE: Recent Work Not Done
My unrealized project is an artists’ book compilation of every artmaking idea or curatorial proposition I have had since 1972, but which I did not act upon. The idea is for a book recording the scraps, jottings, sketches and notes for all such projects, plus a text (and in some cases text/image) summary of my intentions for each concept, plus a handwritten explanation (alibi, if you will) as to why I did not do the work. The book will conclude with 80 blank pages, to accommodate further idleness on the artist’s part.
For example:
The Artist’s Suit
In the summer of 1972 I spoke with my sister about designing an “artist’s suit,” which I would wear to an opening of a show of my drawings. This garment was to be made of canvas, with extra pockets for pencils, erasers, adhesives, X-Acto knives, and all other paraphernalia I was then employing in my studio practice. The cut of the jacket was to be generally tuxedo-ish, with wide dusting brushes affixed to the ends of each “tail,” and with pencils, blades, glues, and tapes in outside pockets, while erasers were to be kept inside the jacket. Pants pockets were to be reserved for the usual; keys, wallet, hard candies; except for a holster for a straight-edge on each thigh.
Apology
I went to a local art supply store and bought a remaindered 48” wide canvas roll. When my sister opened it she discovered that there was not enough fabric to make the suit. In the meantime I had begun packing to move, so the project was put on hold.
Date: 13 May 2011
To: The Agency of Unrealized Projects
From: Buzz Spector
RE: Recent Work Not Done
My unrealized project is an artists’ book compilation of every artmaking idea or curatorial proposition I have had since 1972, but which I did not act upon. The idea is for a book recording the scraps, jottings, sketches and notes for all such projects, plus a text (and in some cases text/image) summary of my intentions for each concept, plus a handwritten explanation (alibi, if you will) as to why I did not do the work. The book will conclude with 80 blank pages, to accommodate further idleness on the artist’s part.
For example:
The Artist’s Suit
In the summer of 1972 I spoke with my sister about designing an “artist’s suit,” which I would wear to an opening of a show of my drawings. This garment was to be made of canvas, with extra pockets for pencils, erasers, adhesives, X-Acto knives, and all other paraphernalia I was then employing in my studio practice. The cut of the jacket was to be generally tuxedo-ish, with wide dusting brushes affixed to the ends of each “tail,” and with pencils, blades, glues, and tapes in outside pockets, while erasers were to be kept inside the jacket. Pants pockets were to be reserved for the usual; keys, wallet, hard candies; except for a holster for a straight-edge on each thigh.
Apology
I went to a local art supply store and bought a remaindered 48” wide canvas roll. When my sister opened it she discovered that there was not enough fabric to make the suit. In the meantime I had begun packing to move, so the project was put on hold.