instructions

To the archivist of the future:
thank you for the extension. this project continues to change for me as time passes, so its helpful to extend the decision-making as long as possible.

My contribution to the event and its documentation took place in the form of a series of NOW bulletins placed in locations around the central performance site to absorb the snow, mud and salt for different durations. These pieces of paper typically used to alert people to the present are now soaked in the stuff of the parasite. They are irreplaceable, since they contain residue from weather conditions, passersby, running water - situations which would be impossible to reproduce. They must be archived in order from the longest soaking time to the shortest. This can be deduced by following the written notes on the back side of each and proceeding in reverse order. Their material presence is essential to retaining the memory of the event.
Since the parasites activation at the workshop, my work has continued to multiply. This multiplication was the movement that I incepted from the beginning, this is proper to the piece. I now present you with the three forms of the work to date:

The paper present:
As an artist, I have no idea how to archivally preserve coloured bond paper with laser ink and handwritten pen, salt, snow, grass-stains, etc. Right now I have them in a black garbage bag in my studio. They have dried out, so the garbage bag keeps them dry and keeps the sun from bleaching them. Nothing can be placed on them, because they will crush and lose their contour. They cannot be photocopied, scanned or migrated. They must be kept as close to their current state as possible.

Future growth:
After the event, I retained several Now Bulletins that were unused during the event. These can be used for the future. Should the work be displayed, I would like these to be used to chart the duration of the exhibition. In this case, one "original" must be used as a template from which to photocopy more future bulletins. One "future" bulletin will be mounted for each day of the exhibition in an archival ziplock filled with snow (this will melt, so it is only important that it once was snow). Each day of the exhibition a member of the gallery staff will puncture a pin-prick in the bottom of a bag. The water will leak out that day, and for the remainder of the exhibition the condensation in the bag will produce mold. This mold will chart the age of the event/document. At the end of the exhibition, these are to be digitally photographed and then the originals are to be disposed of. Please see the note at the bottom as to instructions for the digital photos.

Digital freeze-frame:
I have also scanned some of the work. These exist as jpeg images. These jpegs are currently on my computer and are files that are commonly accessible image files as of 2007. These files are to be maintained as digital files, transferred to cd, dvd or other mediums, but are not meant to be exhibited as printed images - I do not intend them to exist in paper-form, only as digital information or pixelated projections.

Archivist of the future:
This is a work that continues to multiply. I will maintain the paper and digital forms of the work in my personal estate.
As a living artist, you may consult me to direct you in preserving the work. I will use a highly accurate and specific method to choose which form to privilege in which situation. All three forms should be maintained as stated above. In the event of the work being remounted after my death or after I lose interest, I would like you to consult a medium, a psychic, or a ouija board, who (or which) will direct you on my behalf.