When I ordered what I thought was going to be a book on Jenny Holzer's work, this piece of book art was not what I was expecting to receive...
The smallish box contained 6 folded A2 posters and a small pamphlet, which explained, 'Given her willingness to question, rethink and innovate, it's perhaps not surprising that for Holzer-isms, Holzer has chosen to break with the usual format for these books. Instead of a curated selection of quotations gathered from writings, interviews , and other sources, she has opted to create six posters displaying selections from Truisms.' (page 5)
I found the concept quite interesting and it took me a little while to figure out how I was going to "consume" the work. First of all, I had to shut the cats out of the room because as soon as I lay out a sheet of paper they will both immediately try to sit on it... My impulse was to highlight and write all over the posters but the part of me which conisders art to be "sacred" resisted the temptation.
I decided to read through the 6 posters of "Holzer-isms" all at once and think about each statement briefly to decide firstly whether I agreed (believed it to be "true") or not and secondly if it triggered an emotional response. It struck me that your agreement/response to these statements would likely change throughout your life, depending on your experiences and values.
From this poster, the statements which most stood out to me:
Self-content can do more harm than good (absolutely agree)
Sex differences are here to stay (Seems a bit TERF-y and I don't agree)
Spending too much time on self-improvement is antisocial (probably not a popualr opinion, but in my experience this is true)
Survival of the fittest applies to men and animals (I don't agree but I found this absolutely hilarious)
Taking a strong stand publicizes the opposite position (as much as I hate to admit it, I believe this to be true)
The idea of transcendence is used to obscure oppression (this topic is very relevant to my research paper in which I explored the psychological manipulation tactics deployed by oppressors and as such I have to admit that I believe this to be a desperately sad truth
From this poster, I found a lot of statements to disagree with:
The unattainable is invariably attractice (I disagree)
There's nothing redeeming in toil (I disagree)
Timidity is laughable (I disagree)
Trading a life for a life is fair enough (I disagree)
War is a purification rite (I disagree)
You are a victim of the rules you live by (I disagree)
You have to hurt others to be extraoridnary (I disagree)
You only can understand someone of your own sex (I disagree)
You actions are pointless if no one notices (I disagree)
From this poster, the statements which most stood out to me:
A man cant know what it's like to be a mother (again, this came across as TERF-y)
A solid home base builds a sense of self (sometimes, but not always)
A strong sense of duty imprisons you (I profoundly agree with this one and actively try to avoid being duty-bound by anything in my life)
Alienation produces eccentrics or revolutionaries (I found this amusing because I believe there to be some truth to it)
Ambivalence can ruin your life (I profoundly agree with this, along with indecision)
Awful punishment awaits really bad people (I don't think this is always true)
Beng honest is not always the kindest way (true)
Calm is more conducive to creativity than is anxiety (as someone with Anxiety Disorder - i can only say this is false)
From this poster, the statements which most stood out to me:
Children are the most cruel of all (I disagree)
Dependence can be a meal ticket (this statement revulsed me but it's probably true)
Disgust is the appropriate response to most situations (I found this hilarious but untrue)
Don't place too much trust in experts (came across quite Michael Gove-y)
Eating too much is criminal (I don't think this is true but advisory)
Emotional responses are as valuable as intellectual responses (I agree, but would go further and say that they are more valuable)
Enjoy yourself because you can't change anything (I profoundly disagree, if not anything external you can always change yourself)
Even your family can betray you (unquestionably true)
From this poster, the statements which most stood out to me:
Government is a burden on the people (I consider this true but I don't see a better alternative)
Grass roots agitation is the only hope (I love this statement but I think it's untrue)
Habitual contempt doesn't reflect a finer sensibility (I love this statement, and I believe it to be true because it reminds me of my ex)
Ideals are replaced by conventional goals at a certain age (I believe this to be untrue and my Dad is a case in point)
Inheritance must be abolished (I think I agree and acknowledge it's a very anti-capitalist statement)
It is heroic to try and stop time (I can't agree or disagree because I have no idea what this even means)
It is better to be naive than jaded (I love this statement and it's a philosophy I try to live by)
Low expectations are good protection (definitely a philosophy I live by)
Men are not monogamous by nature (this one I found difficult to process and I'm not sure if I believe it to be true or not - certainly not in all instances)
From this poster, the statements which most stood out to me:
Money creates teaste (I believe the opposite to be true)
Morals are for little people (I don't really understand what that means)
People are boring unless they're extremists (I disagree)
People who don't work with their hands are parasites (I disagree)
People who go crazy are too sensitive (I'm sure you could say this about me but I still disagree)
Politics is used for personal gain (true)
Presentation is as important as content (I believe this to be true)
Rechanneling destructive impulses is a sign of maturity (I think this is true but something I personally need to work on)
Redistributing wealth is imperative (I agree but not everyone does - especialy those in positions of power)
Religion causes as many problems as it solves (I agree and it's why I consider myself "agnostic" rather than athiest)
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