Late Works: Paperweight I

Concept

A large stack of A4 paper sits in the centre of a space, weighed down by an object (a paperweight).

These are the only things occupying the space (other than a printer), and provide the basis for contributors to create works.

The first person to arrive responds to the object and the space to create writings / sketches / print-outs with the stack. Once they are finished they place their work on the walls.

When the next person arrives they replace the paperweight they were given with a new one. Subsequent contributors do the same, with each person arriving to a smaller stack of paper, an increasing amount of work on the wall and a paperweight left for them by the previous person.

The process repeats again and again over the course of a week until an exhibition of the work and the paperweights at the end.

Lexicon

/ˈpeɪ.pə.weɪt/
• a small, heavy object for keeping loose papers in place.

/ˈpeɪ.pər/
• material manufactured in thin sheets from the pulp of wood or other fibrous substances, used for writing, drawing, or printing on, or as wrapping material.

/weɪt/
• a body’s relative mass or the quantity of matter contained by it, giving rise to a downward force; the heaviness of a person or thing.
• the ability of someone or something to influence decisions or actions.

Made possible by:

Specifics

• Each work produced is limited to the A4 sheet. An infinite amount of A4 sheets may be used per person.

• There are 27 contributors spread across timed entry slots over the weekdays. (On average 6 people per day 10am - 5pm (10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 13:00, 14:00, 15:00) but times are flexible and can vary)

• The first ever paperweight is selected by the curator, with the final paperweight used as the starter for the next event, and so on and so on.

• The paperweight is a gift to the proceeding artist, and can be taken home after being exhibited at the end of the week.

• Contributors must bring their own materials, limited to that which they can carry on their person.

• Once in the space, contributors are allowed to stay for as long as they would like. Every time they return to the space, they must return the paperweight they were given to the stack, as a symbol of their presence.

• The event can last no longer than a week, with the work being exhibited for a single day at the end.