Student Interest Meetings
In Fall 2024, social practice artist Sheryl Oring will bring her project I Wish to Say to Monmouth University. For this art project, now in its 20th year, typists take dictation from the public who write postcards to the next President. These cards will be part of an exhibition of Oring’s artwork in the DiMattio Gallery for the semester and then will be mailed to the White House.
We are looking for students who want to participate as typists and organizers throughout the Fall 2024 semester. Join us for student interest meetings this April to learn more about how to become involved.
Student Interest Meetings
Wednesday, April 10, 2024. 2:45 p.m., Rechnitz Hall, Room 107.
Friday, April 12, 2024. 11:30 a.m., Zoom.
The 2024 US Presidential election coincides with the 20th anniversary of Oring’s I Wish to Say. With backgrounds in journalism and art, Oring created this project from a concern that many people’s voices were not being heard. She began taking dictation from the public about what they wanted to say to the President. Dressed as a 1960s secretary with a typewriter, she records whatever participants say onto a postcard, making copies with carbon paper. During larger events, a secretarial bank takes dictation. Oring mails the postcards to the White House and exhibits the copies. To date she has mailed over 4100 postcards.
From 9/3-12/20/2024, the DiMattio Gallery will display hundreds of I Wish to Say postcards, photographs, and videos of performances from past elections in half of the gallery’s first floor. The other half will showcase Oring’s related projects that all involve a question, listening, and a typewriter for a secretary taking dictation. These include Collective Memory (September 2011), recorded memories of the 9-11 attacks; Travel Desk (2015), travel stories that were then carved into a wooden table now installed in the San Diego airport; and other performances.
Multi-part programming at Monmouth will include an artist’s talk to showcase the breadth and longevity of Oring’s courageous artmaking practice. Monmouth students will participate as typists in live performances. Faculty will hold public teach-ins. Finally, we will provide outreach to regional high schools to invite their participation.
CONTACT
Dr. Corey Dzenko, cdzenko@monmouth.edu, Rechnitz 303
Supported by: Monmouth University’s Galleries and Collections, ArtNOW Visiting Artist Series, and the Helen Bennett McMurray Endowed Chair of Social Ethics.
