ORQ [The Oracle of Random Quotes]

Oracular Post Script: The Ones That Got Away

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:36:00 +0000

The day of de-installing, most of the answer balls are out of the Randomizer. They are all over the shelves and the floor. There's a (used) paper cup in the hole in the gallery floor. The approx. 3" in diameter hole seen in the photo above.

The gallery was open after I left the closing party, because the mural party and the digital stories screening next door were still going on.

When I gather up the balls and put them in the Randomizer, about 1/3 or 1/2 of them are missing.

So either they went down the hole, or someone needed a lot of answers.

Four Oracles, One Question Video Stills

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:33:00 +0000

The video projection I made for the ORQ installation shows a non-scientific research project in which I asked the same question of four different oracles: the I-Ching, ORQ[The Oracle of Random Quotes], the tea leaves, and the tarot. These are three stills from the video, which is projected onto cheesecloth on the floor.

Opening Sequence

The Question

Oracle 4: The Tarot

Record-Breaking Day of ORQ Consultations!

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:13:00 +0000

On Saturday 10/10 there was a steady stream of visitors in the gallery, and some great conversations. I knew I'd done a lot of listening for the Oracle that day, and was even a bit tired. The most I'd done in a day before was 9 or 10 readings. Yesterday I counted the transcripts - each ORQ reading is written by hand - and there were 17 consultations with the Oracle!

Amazing night gallery-sitting ORQ

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 02:22:00 +0000

I thought no one would show tonight, and I was so, so wrong. Catherine & Mark stopped by right after about 12 teenage girls appeared asking "what is this??" They wandered in after practicing rowing??? In the middle of industrial Long Island City, Queens? I didn't quite get that, though I do know about the kayaking out of the LIC Boathouse so it shouldn't come as a surprise.

After my spiel about oracles and ORQ, we ended up doing LOTS of readings, mostly about whether he used to love me, still loves me or will love me. When I commented that they were all asking the same basic question, one says "Of course! We're teenage girls!" Doh!

A creepy guy was hanging around too (they didn't know him). He wanted a turn to ask and when he did it was a really obnoxious, inappropriate question. I said "You hung around all that time to ask *that*??" No, the Oracle will not tell you when certain parts of your body are going to get licked. I kicked him out of the gallery, then the girls & I got back to the real business - divination. They definitely liked The Randomizer. Some posed for a picture with the "Nine Bonafide Questions for an Oracle" piece. So glad they stopped by.

Workshop: Create Your Own Oracle!

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 04:10:00 +0000

The workshop is from 3 - 5 PM on Sunday October 11 at Local Project
Gallery, 45-10 Davis St, off Jackson Ave. near the Court Sq. Diner and
P.S.1/MoMA. It is being held in conjunction with the exhibition ORQ[The
Oracle of Random Quotes] and led by Artist/Listener Priscilla Proudwoman Stadler. The workshop is free. To register please call 917-273-0145.

What are oracles? Why have so many people, in so many cultures, relied on divination tools for insight and information? Do oracles tell the truth or just perpetuate superstition? What is magical thinking, and does it ever come in handy for navigating life choices in today’s world?

While exploring these topics and our experiences with oracles of various
types, in the workshop we will use a variety of settings (indoors/outdoors) and materials to create homemade oracles that may help to guide us, or at least lead us to some interesting dialogues about meaning and the ways we seek it in our lives.

Disclaimer: the description sounds really serious but the workshop will be fun!

The Randomizer is in the house!

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:29:00 +0000

At long last, The Randomizer is now part of ORQ!

ORQ is now available for consultations, readings, viewing, and randomizing at Local Project Gallery, 45-10 Davis St., Long Island City, Queens, NY through October 18, 2009 (open 12 - 6 Sat/Sun and 6 - 9 Tuesdays & Thursdays.)

The Randomizer: ORQ's new component

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 03:11:00 +0000

The Randomizer, the newest element of ORQ, enables questioners to select from "the balls" ping pong balls with answers written by visitors who are randomly answering unknown questions. The first (approximately) 260 visitors to the gallery are invited to contribute answers to the piece.

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 17:13:00 +0000

Coming Soon Through an Oracle Near You

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:31:00 +0000

Priscilla P. Stadler’s new work explores the art of divination. So whether you find yourself grappling with questions, needing advice, enmeshed in a quandary, facing a conundrum, or just plan curious, you may want to try Stadler’s ORQ [The Oracle of Random Quotes]. During an ORQ “consultation”, assisted by the Artist/Listener, random texts may provide insights into life’s dilemmas . *

Local Project Gallery is pleased to present Priscilla Proudwoman Stadler’s first solo show in New York City. Through diverse media including sculpture, drawing, video projection and human interaction, Stadler’s art offers opportunities to explore ways we seek and construct meaning.

Visitors are also invited to contribute quotes, advice, and random phrases to the Oracle. These will then be used for other questioners who come to seek guidance.

On Sunday October 11, Stadler will lead a workshop entitled Create Your Own Oracle. Please call 917-273-0145 to register.

We hope you will stop by to partake of this unique oracular experience.

* Just remember, this is an offer of randomness; guarantees can never be included.

This project is made possible in part by the Queens Council on the Arts with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.

ORQ at Local Project October 3 - 18, 2009

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 23:25:00 +0000

October 3 – 18, 2009
Reception October 3 from 4 – 6pm

Gallery Hours Sat/Sun: 12 – 6pm
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6 – 8 pm
Other hours by appointment
(917) 273-0145

Workshop: Create Your Own Oracle
Sunday, October 11, 3 – 5 PM

Local Project Gallery
45-10 Davis Street, L.I.C., NY 11101
www.localproject.org

margaret leng tan performs cage/nam-june/fluxus

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Sun, 17 May 2009 02:40:00 +0000

They don't call her the toy piano virtuoso for nothing. But that's not all she does. She also performed John Cage's 4'33" (four minutes and 33 seconds of silence in 3 segments for which she provided full disclosure - cautioning us that it would actually be a little longer because she was going to take a short break between each section.) While I didn't time it, I'm guessing it was about 4'44".

In a tribute to George Brecht (5 event scores) she made two impossible efforts - trying to lift Nam June' Paik's TV Bed and trying but not quite being able to sing all the notes of a very high scale.

Thanks to James Cohan Gallery for their consistently excellent exhibitions. It's the first time I've been to one of their events, and Margaret Lang Tan brought the energy of Nam June Paik's work to life.

Her finale was 0'00", specified by Cage as a "Solo To Be Performed In Any Way By Anyone: In a Feedback Situation Provided with Maximum Amplification (No Feedback), Perform a Disciplined Action." So after stamping a pile full of papers (and micing/amplifying the sound of stamping, Margaret got up and distributed a sheet to everyone in the gallery.

On the page were two excerpts, which I will randomly quote from:

"Investigators have seized £20 million worth of illegal ivory in south-east Asia in the past six weeks, including the third-largest haul of elephant tusks on record...about 37,000 African elephants are killed by poachers every year...With adult male elephant tusks weighing up to 50kg, the death of a single elephant can represent a year's income for a hunter."
--The Independent (UK) April 15, 2009.

What did the stamp read? TOY PIANOS DON'T KILL ELEPHANTS

random quote

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 14:14:00 +0000

random quotes come from texts selected with eyes closed. From Paulo Coelho's El Alquimista: Una Fabula Para Seguir Tus Sueños:

"'Pero no hubo nada que hacer."

[But there was nothing to be done.]

ORQ@LP exhibition event moves to fall

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 02:06:00 +0000

The originally-scheduled spring exhibition event of ORQ @ Local Project had to be changed because of a sudden studio move May 1st. Not far, actually in the same building, up to the floor that was vacated by Repetti. Here's hoping some of the good energy and rampant creativity will continue to inhabit their former home.

Guess this means that I didn't need to move that giant table I got from their moving give-away downstairs after all! But without me trying to fit it through the studio door, the security video of our hallway would be so much less amusing!

Looks like ORQ @ LP is on for October. This is one of the great things about LP...they are flexible!

About ORQ

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 03:13:00 +0000

ORQ [The Oracle of Random Quotes]

"How far will we go to find meaning?" is the question at the heart of ORQ [The Oracle of Random Quotes]. Made up of three elements – human interaction, video projection, and drawings - ORQ uses text in uncanny ways to explore belief and free association. The Oracle, assisted by the artist/listener, enables reflection and dialogue on meaning, symbolism, and circumstance. Part serious, part playful, answers form as questioners choose random phrases – but wait, are they really random? ORQ [The Oracle of Random Quotes] is a new oracle created by artist Priscilla P. Stadler, drawing from the written texts of your choice. With the assistance of an ORQ listener, you choose the quotes and determine whether they are useful or appropriate for the answer(s) you are seeking. You are welcome to discuss it with the listener - or not.

Ask a Question. Leave an Answer.

Whether you have a question, need advice, find yourself in a conundrum or are just plain curious, visit ORQ [The Oracle of Random Quotes] at Local Project, 45-10 Davis Street in Long Island City - dates to be announced soon! Stay posted! During this ORQ event and exhibition visitors will be invited not only to ask questions of the Oracle but also to leave brief quotes as answers for other questioners.

Parrot Says "I Love ORQ"

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:16:00 +0000

Mahmah the Parrot (front)

Email from Ana:

hi dear,

my parrot, while having one of her cheery speaking sessions, just said:

"I love ORQ"

I swear to you, I did not teach her to say that!!

I thought you should know. It may be pertinent to your grant applications.

love,
Ana

Mahmah the Parrot (back)

Change Exhibition Opening at Flushing Town Hall

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 15:53:00 +0000

"From the natural world to the emotional and psychological landscape, change occurs regularly. Seasonal shift and emotional storms re-order our private, and sometimes public, worlds. The artwork presented in this show by Long Island City Artist, Inc., makes visible the subject, effect, and context of change." - postcard for Change exhibition

LICA (Long Island City Artists) is coordinating a juried group exhibition called Change from March 7 - April 26 at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard, conveniently located near the last (or first) stop on the #7 train: Main Street.

Opening reception is Saturday 3/7 from 2 - 5 pm so please stop by if you can!

There will also be two Sunday Salons - conversations with the artists about changes we see (Sunday 3/22 and Sunday 4/12 at 2 pm, and a Studio Visit with two of the participating artists on 3/29.

Three of my digital drawings are in the show (note: an image of one of them, Fifth Change, is above on the invitation.)

ORQ tries to help the #7 train video

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 14:49:00 +0000

In spite of its semi-dormant state, ORQ recently did a small consultation - a side-job - just to earn a little street cred while rolling over from its still somewhat hibernative trance. ORQ provided seven quotes for a video projection piece I've been working on when I got completely stuck about whether to use text in the piece and if so, what text.

The piece is an ode to the subway, to Queens, to journeying and to the #7 train, which traverses the city first heading from west to east under midtown Manhattan: from under Times Square, past the Fifth-Sixth Ave stop under the NY Public Library's Humanities and Social Science branch (home of the Piccirilli Brothers' beautifully-carved marble lions), below Grand Central, then via a rollicking tunnel ride under the East River to its two underground stops in Long Island City - Hunters Point and Vernon-Jackson.

Then the real #7 train fun begins: emerging from the tunnel with some of the curviest most dangerous-looking elevated track in the NYC subway system, the #7 winds and then speeds its way above ground for miles through the most diverse county in the U.S., according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Not to mention a lot of interesting vistas including Crane Street studios, aka "the graffiti" building, soon ( in April) to be the site of ORQ's spring awakening!

Ultimately the ORQ quotes were not selected for the video (something shorter and more topical worked better, thus the piece's title: Seven Word Pairs for the #7 Train.)

the hibernation of an Oracle

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 04:02:00 +0000

ORQ [The Oracle of Random Quotes] is still a bonnie fresh-faced lass of an oracle in the landscape of oracular variations. And ORQ tends to be full of unexpected quirks (e.g., not so wild about Manhattan, doesn't appreciate loud bands while trying to give consultations, etc.) So it should have come as no surprise that ORQ likes to hibernate. Originally this respite was mistaken for a vacation. But it's become clear that this is pretty much a full-blown hibernation.

Apparently, at least in this stage in ORQ's oracular development, there is no reason for an Oracle to venture out in the type of bitter cold which has been prevalent in this current NYC winter.

So if you've been wondering what's up with ORQ, just listen for the snores emanating from the cave. Hopefully in hibernation, good ideas can and do germinate, because - **great news** - ORQ will be appearing this spring at Long Island City's Local Project, thanks to a grant from the Queens Council on the Arts.

Hopefully ORQ will be up and energized before then. More info soon.

Preparing for TheArtConspiracy

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:45:00 +0000

It's been a rushing around period of several weeks, in preparation for ORQ's participation in TheArtConspiracy exhibition at Gallery Korea. There are five artists: Yeijin Jun, Susan C. Dessel, Seong-eun Hong, and Priscilla Proudwoman Stadler. Since it's a conspiracy I am obviously not allowed to discuss it. However, judging from the innovative and provocative work of these artists, a trip to Gallery Korea during December could be interesting and extremely worthwhile.

To learn more about each of TheArtConspiracy artists, visit the excerpted press release (pdf).

The exhibition runs from December 3 - January 2 and is open from 10 AM - 5 PM from Monday - Friday, or Saturday by appointment (call 212-759-9950). It's located at 460 Park Ave. (between 57th and 58th St.), 6th floor, New York, NY. The opening reception is on Dec. 3rd from 6 - 8 PM.

Ricky's Rents Pintchik Oracle's Message Space

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 23:58:00 +0000

Thanks to Lisanne for the photo.

Even in the midst of pre-election busy-ness, not to mention getting ready for The End of The End of The End, there were some developments in the continuing investigation of the Pintchik Hardware Oracle.

A kind and generous photographer, Lisanne, offered to schlep over to Flatbush to get a good shot, and found that Ricky's was apparently renting from the Pintchik folks. So like it or not, their Oracle had Halloween season off.

Dear Flux Factory

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 01:24:00 +0000

A truly rigorous questioner doing pull-ups prior to her ORQ consultation!

Dear Flux Factory,

Thank you for giving ORQ the room up the magic stairs at The End of The End of The End. Marian, whose room it was, left good incense, Palo Santu, and excellent vibes for the oracular goings-on. Unfortunately she herself wasn't able to get a reading that night because ORQ had to close up shop since our time was up, Abby was coming to read with the bullhorn, and ORQ was tired. Most regrettable, but hopefully Marian will be able to consult with ORQ in the future.

Meanwhile, ORQ sends all of its most positive energy - random, meaningful, and in-between - to the awesome creative team of Fluxers and friends, wishes you an end to run-ins with imminent domain, and hopes to see you again soon.
Love,
ORQ

new toy test at The End of The End of The End

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 03:48:00 +0000

It looks like a steering wheel minus the car, but it's called a FiggRig (created by filmmaker Mike Figg.) Being field tested by my favorite videographer at ORQ's appearance at The End of The End of The End* at Flux Factory's building closing last Thursday.

*(to be continued)

attempting inter-oracular communication

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:24:00 +0000

Apparently the Pintchik Oracle came back - at least, it had in May of this year. Lured by the prospect of inter-oracular communication, I decided today would be a good day to venture over to Brooklyn and consult the Pintchik Hardware Oracle.

Thanks to Lisanne for the photo. LED sign where Pintchik Oracle transmits its "wisdom", when available, is under the Ace Hardware sign.

But as any subway traveller trying to go from Queens to Brooklyn on a weekend knows, it's a good idea to call first. I felt funny calling just to ask about their Oracle, like I was trying to get psychic goodies without buying hardware.

So I made a somewhat pathetic attempt to disguise the true purpose of my call by asking about a product first. I decided to ask about something that I actually need, but unfortunately it turns out Pintchik does not sell panes of glass.

Delving in to my true reason for calling, I asked the woman who answered when I dialed "O" - "Is the Oracle back?" "No." Pause. "Will it be coming back?" "Yes." She was obviously not into disclosing oracular information.

"Do you know when?" "No." "Do you know how I can find out when?" I tried to explain that I had left the neighborhood, moved from Brooklyn to Queens, hoping she'd take pity on me. "We'll let people know." "How do you let people know? Do you have a website?" "No." I can tell I've dug myself into a customer service hole and am rapidly sinking in deeper and deeper, probably losing my chance at getting even the slightest whiff of the return of the Pintchik Oracle.

"Do you advertise it in the paper?" "Yes." "Which paper?" Long, long pause. I'm thinking she should just tell me to stop asking her these questions, it's an Oracle, and part of the point of an Oracle is mystery, right? Finally I relent. "Ok, I'll look for it. Thank you." And hang up, without panes of glass or further information.

The good news: I didn't spend an hour or more each way on the subway to have this conversation.

The Pintchik Paint and Hardware Store Oracle

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Sat, 18 Oct 2008 15:39:00 +0000

Last night at the Art-O-Mat* opening, I learned that neon artist Kenny had made a neon ouija board sculpture. Then he told me about an Oracle in Brooklyn which I really should have known about, considering I lived in Gowanus, the next neighborhood, at the time - The Pintchik Paint and Hardware Store Oracle. Here's an excerpt from the New Yorker (again?) article. To consult the Pintchik oracle you go to the phone in the store and the Oracle answers you on the LED billboard, which when not offering readings lets you know the special on gallons of egg-shell semi-gloss:

"A woman in a leather jacket came to the phone. “What’s the meaning of life?” she asked.
ORACLE: Why do people insist that life has a meaning?
WOMAN: So he answers the question with a question?
ORACLE: I was trained by the Great Greek philosophers and the Jewish ones, too. You’re Jewish, trust me.
WOMAN: But I’m not Jewish.
ORACLE: A great-grandfather was a Jewish shoemaker in Lodz.
WOMAN: No.
ORACLE: That’s a Jewish head of hair you have.
A few minutes later, five eleventh-grade boys crowded around the phone.
“Ask it, ask it . . . am I gonna be in the N.B.A.?” one of them said.
ORACLE: Maybe. As a fan."

From http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2003/11/03/031103ta_talk_schillinger

So, is the Pintchik Paint and Hardware Store Oracle still divining? What would happen if ORQ asked the Pintchik a question?

*My sculpture Former Tools is in the Familiar Spaces: Reconsidered exhibit. Each work in this show references a significant place from the artist's past. Special shout-out to Terry Blanchard, dear friend, for escaping arrest when she went to take the photo for me. Phew!

No easy answer. No sudden illumination.

noreply@blogger.com (pps) — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 03:34:00 +0000

When asked whether ORQ's answers to her question had been meaningful, A. said, "No easy answer. No sudden illumination."

She had asked, "Will we ever buy the building?"

ORQ's answers:

"Warm are the still and lucky miles." - Jilly Cooper, The British in Love

"Pig omens, in general are a sign of wealth and good fortune." - Stephen Karcher, Total I Ching: Myths For Change

"Unless this is achieved, our country will be dominated by special interest groups." - MoveOn.Org, 50 Ways to Love Your Country

"In the autumn of 1969, Alinksy and I met again to talk about the cataclysmic events of the past four years." - Marion K. Sanders, The Professional Radical: Conversations with Saul Alinsky

Usually even if questioners ask I say that the interpretation is up to them, they are the Oracle. I'm just the listener. Often the answers doesn't make sense to me. But this one seemed so clear, and so positive: the "still and lucky miles", "wealth and good fortune", the dire-sounding domination of special interest groups "unless this is achieved". The last quote could refer to the difficulties leading up to buying the building, the struggles of the past few years. But these are all my ideas. I don't know A., nor her situation.

I wish her well.

[Drawing from the Not Heads-Just Connection series c. 2008 Priscilla P. Stadler]