Elliott K. Perkins
Items
ceramic, 2019-2020
Dear Conflicted,
Raise your hand if you hate change, and are bored by sameness? I was on the telephone a few days ago- an object I really revere, and you know that, because these pages have featured several pictures of telephones. I like the cradled ear part, the phone part; and the guts, all filled with ringers and wires. I love the dial, or the big square buttons. I love the silly tangle-y corkscrew cord that connects the two. I love the pocket under the cradle to put your hand into to carry the phone to another chair, or window.
And then there is the spatial facet of telephone conversation: You are here, they are there. I see the sky, the tree tops, the birds; you might see the sidewalk, someone walking a dog. We might see the same things, a moon, a rocket plume, gathering storm clouds.
While on the telephone we got to talking about a song my DJ just played for me, and another song. These songs are my project for today! Because I have been thinking about what my job is, and for once, I think I know what it is: it is to use the space of my mind to make things in. I can make thoughts, images, all kinds of insubstantial items, and then, if a good one comes along, I can make it manifest, like a construction paper flower, and then, I can give it to you.
Principally, I am concerned with these notions in contemplating these songs: What are they about? Are these songs two sides of the same coin, or are they the same side? What does the refrain "you got it, you got it" mean in (Nothing but) Flowers? What does the maniacal laughter at the end of Big Yellow Taxi mean? Why do we hate change, we do we fear change? Why do we yearn and long for the new and the novel, the yet to be seen?
PS
Still wish you had a lawnmower? Try another version. Thinking about the Tree Museum? Try this version.
