Below are some excerpts from Plug In#28--Raimundas Malasauskas writes to accompany a project of Nomads & Residents collective created by Bik Van der Pol:
"Did you know that...
[...]
...“stupid as a table” is an expression used in certain languages to define the void of knowledge and thinking altogether? Most often it refers to a human being, never to an actual table. However some professors of philosophy also tend to use an example of a table as a figure of knowledge or things in itself.
... the paradox of the table exemplifies the phenomena of language games: our thinking differs not only due to the different languages we speak, but also due to the specific language games we play.
... art is just another language according to certain theories? It allows a certain group of people to find each other and communicate the value of their communication.
... language games are an intrinsic part of the design of everyday reality? If you decide that you are the designer of your subjectivity try to design a table of its contents first. I started my table of contents with coffee stains today.
[...]
... art often works as a table of contents for non-artrelated subjects and disciplines? It connects multiple dots of various types of knowledge creating temporary spatial constellations of collective thinking.
... knowledge production is a preoccupation of many contemporary artists? Therefore the content of their work is often redefinition of what they do and what their role should be.
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... it is not enough to make certain types of knowledge accessible and available in order to activate it? Knowledge needs dissemination in order to function. Yet it is hard to believe those who say that the best use of knowledge is not its actual implementation into action, but a circulation only.
... John Baldessari sang “Sentences on Conceptual Art” by Sol LeWitt in 1968 in order to make them more accessible for an audience via a format of the song?
... that certain types of knowledge can activate (or translate) each other in the same way different ingredients activate itself in cocktails? The symbolic transition of an artist from a barman to a mixologist marks this shift in professional sophistication.
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... artists often tend to discuss the impact of their work?
.... that impact is not instantaneous? Don’t expect to experience the impact of the table of contents immediately, it might take one million years, so, as Bruce Nauman says, “pay attention mother fucker.”
... infinite conversation is the way culture functions? (therefore your participation in this culture thus can change it, at least make the conversation shorter or change the subject.)"
-Raimundas Malasauskas
Raimundas Malasauskas is a curator at the Contemporary Art Centre (CAC) in Vilnius, Lithuania.
Bik Van der Pol is an artist collaboration that consists of Liesbeth Bik and Jos Van der Pol, who live and work in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
For further information, visit the Van Abbemuseum website.
