Artists using text.doc

One and Three Chairs, 1965, is a work by Joseph Kosuth. An example of conceptual art, the piece consists of a chair, a photograph of this chair, and an enlarged dictionary definition of the word "chair". The photograph depicts the chair as it is actually installed in the room, and thus the work changes each time it is installed in a new venue.

Two elements of the work remain constant: a copy of a dictionary definition of the word "chair" and a diagram with instructions for installation. Both bear Kosuth's signature. Under the instructions, the installer is to choose a chair, place it before a wall, and take a photograph of the chair. This photo is to be enlarged to the size of the actual chair and placed on the wall to the left of the chair. Finally, a blow-up of the copy of the dictionary definition is to be hung to the right of the chair, its upper edge aligned with that of the photograph.
Jenny Holzer
From Art 21: Whether questioning consumerist impulses, coldly describing torture, or lamenting death and disease, Jenny Holzer’s use of language provokes a critical response in the viewer. While her subversive work often blends in among advertisements in public space, its arresting content violates expectations. Holzer’s texts have appeared on posters, as electronic L.E.D. signs, and as projections of xenon light.
"Inflammatory Essays," detail. 1979–82. Offset poster.
"Often, I’ll use the first person in my work. I will assume that voice. Or I will represent many people in the first person. There are lots of I’s and You’s in the ‘Inflammatory Essays’, but they’re not me. They’re many different voices on a host of unmentionable subjects. I’m present in the choice of the subjects addressed in the work, in the form that they take, and the places they go."
"I’m afraid to talk about values these days. Usually, any time values are invoked, it’s to dismiss or maybe incarcerate somebody! I do make work that focuses on unnecessary cruelty, in the hope that people will recoil. I would like there to be less fear and cruelty."
- Jenny Holzer

For years the Guerrilla Girls have been stirring up audiences with our presentations and workshops in full jungle drag. We have appeared at schools, museums and organizations of all types, in almost every state in the U.S. and on almost every continent. For a complete list, see “Lectures/ performances/ workshops” on our chronology page.

The performance lasts about an hour and a half, followed by a question period. We take the audience through how we came up with some of our many, many posters, books (Confessions of the Guerrilla Girls and The Guerrilla Girls Bedside Companion to the History of Western Art) and actions about discrimination in art, film, politics, etc.

Guerilla Girls
In our performances for 2008-9, we will also be performing skits with the audience and sharing excerpts from our book Bitches, Bimbos and Ballbreakers: The Guerrilla Girls Illustrated Guide to Female Stereotypes. We will also speak about how we invaded the Oscars with our latest billboard and sticker campaign on discrimination in Hollywood. And we'll tell all about our 17-foot posters in the 2005 Venice Biennale, Istanbul, Athens and Mexico City.
We also conduct one-day workshops where we help students produce their own activist projects on issues that are important to them.