Process of 'archiving' is perhaps my main fixed hate, but in a paradoxical twist, it is also my main concern in the topic of my research.
In being aware of the cycle of an action I aim to give value to all stages of an action, not just its final end-product. In the struggle of how to communicate this I started to think that I need to use the form of archive - however limiting I find that - to subvert and question it as a form.
How to create an archive system that communicates the true nature of my research?
I'm not interested in objective documentation, I want the approach that I have to exude further than the work itself - to how it is documented, classified, archived and thus presented.
I am interested in how we perceive and ascribe value to the transformation of matter
Especially interested in the use of 'worthless/waste' materials e.g. dust, ashes...the traces of an action
I see the process of action as a performance
An action that ends in an static end-product is an illusion
Against fixity, permanence: everything breaks down. The process of action is not static, it is in-flux, thereby constantly performative
The cycle of action:
Where do I matter most?
As an intention?
An idea?
The transaction to action?
The energy used for that action?
The material forms which are changed?
A state of mind - a sense of completion?
The documentation of 'action'?
The memory?
A vague memory a day later, a month, a year...a lifetime?
Where does meaning lie?
(If anywhere)
'Classification' Ernst van Alphen -
"Archives are not linear...neither beginning nor end"
"Many openings and and are open-ended"
Collecting and archiving process = "consciousness and meaning production"
"Comes into being and becomes visible by virtue of being collected"
Can use the notion of 'archive' to test the idea of what 'worthless' means
Archive as a SHRINE of DISAPPEARENCE. A Shrine to 'Nothing', but to the traces of every action.
A physical space imbued with the energy of small actions; worthless material made sacred.
Cycle of action made experiential
Online catalogue of disappeared actions
Tags -
#Intention
#Energy (by-product e.g. 10 minutes worth of writing)
#Material transformation
#Memory of action
Conditions:
- Content must be ephemeral
- Content must disintegrate
- Online archival must reflect this
- Major and minor cycle of action must be true to fluidity of process -
- Once a cycle of action is complete, must transfer energy on elsewhere.
- Destroyed in the moment its realised
- Archive once 'complete' must destruct, disintegrate, decompose.
- Trace left will be ground for next archive.