(dvd still)
I’m Too Sad To Tell
You (A Homage To Bas Jan Ader), Performance, 2006
DVD
Bas Jan Ader (b.1942-1975) was a Dutch conceptual artist who at age 33 was lost
at sea. Perhaps one of his most known works was a short film entitled “I’m
too sad to tell you” (1970), which consists of the artist making himself
cry in front of a camera. “I’m too sad to tell you” is also
a black and white photograph, with the phrase handwritten in the lower right-hand
corner of the image.
During the summer of 2006, I was attempting to use the video camera as a therapist.
Telling myself that every time I want to cry, I will turn to the video camera.
The video I’m Too Sad To Tell You (A Homage To Bas Jan Ader),
is a documentation of what happens when the camera is on, looking directly at
you.
Performance location: Oakland, California