Asher Yozer
A fictional reality, a reality beyond what I used to think was real, could prove to be more true, more permanent and stable. «Real» reality can be invented by someone else. My desire in a «real» reality can be dictated by the experience of others or by the education given to me by the society. In making the transition to my «inventive» reality, I am free from the dictatorship of other people’s fiction.
In search of an audience, the art came from the museum to the gallery, and then from the gallery to the street. But there wasn’t even anyone on the street. A modern viewer found himself online. The public space is described by a ratio of 9 to 16. Screen time has been longer than walking time.
Lents are our streets, pages are our squares. I’m able to change the architecture of my space every minute, based on the composition of the moment.
I live on social media. I’m spinning the tape. I’m turning stories. I see the ads. I agreed to the terms. Even if I’m president of the world. I’ll see her. Because it’s priceless.
I see a man in advertising. He’s breaking into my space. He’s trying to break the wall between us, the screen that connects us.
I’m missing his message. But I can’t ignore him. His presence is part of my life. Because he chose me and paid for my attention.
Social media advertising is on the edge of an invasion of public space. The advertiser decides to break in, the Targeting and the social media algorithms decide where and when it’s gonna happen. But it’s gonna happen. And it will happen many times. It’s a tool that a modern artist has to master.
By paying $6 for advertising, I’ll know that thousands of people will see my message. Why would I want to go to the museum? How many people will see my work in the gallery? How many hours does my street art turn into a jockh art?
I’m drowning in issues, processes, meanings. I’d like to be an artist, but I lack consistency and focus. I came up with a fictional artist. «He’ll come and fix everything in silence.» May I introduce Asher Yozer? In Hebrew, it means «the one who created.» And it’s also the first words of a Jewish prayer after going to the bathroom. It’s ironic. My, uh, not exactly a meaningful birthday present for Asher. His name.
Asher’s focused. It’s consistent and accurate. His actions make sense. His first step is the echo of the second. He knows what he’s doing. And for the Internet, he’s as real as I am.
I introduced Asher. Asher will present his art.
Asher:
I created Instagram’s online performance. Because Instagram loves a trinity. Also, Instagram allows me to be anyone. The Instagram allows the world around me to be what I want.
The title is about me trying to win a place in the audience’s head. Tell him what I care about. About what I’m worried about. I want to tell you something. And I’m gonna regret it. And close. Because it’s easy. It’s social media. I can attack and close. I’m safe. I’m dangerous. I can be anyone. I can make this world up to anyone. And this world is gonna be more real than any other world you’re used to calling real. You’re covering your reality with fences. You choose the circle of communication, the color of the walls, the bar, the job. You’re shutting yourself down in this world. And he’s nothing more real than my fictional world. The world of fictional artist Asher Yozer.
The parts of the triptych are called:
Intrusion.
It is a cycle of repeated actions and sounds. Cycle length: 30 seconds.
War.
4 minutes 33 seconds of continuous repeat action in trying to sync with the sound cycle. I get tired and I put my hands down. War is needed to lose strength and purpose.
My defense.
It is a cycle of short mechanical repeat movements and sounds that resemble a computer game. Cycle length: 6 seconds. War can’t be won. I’m disappointed and closed. I do things without understanding their meaning. But they’re saving me.
Each performance invades a random viewer’s space, as an advert and as repeatable every hour of history for a subscriber.
The stories stay in the Hilliths. The viewer can roll and roll them forward and backward. At this point, he’s controlling my movements by contacting me, giving me a way of life.
In every form, I create space and ritual in it, this world is small, its purpose is clearly defined. Repeat action. Which only makes sense in this little world. It’s a locked and obsessed piece of meaning.
Each next part of the terminance is based on the previous one. It grows in layers of objects, sounds, movements. The fate of all rituals and all meanings is to disappear under layers of repetition and interpretation. The layers replace meaning, disempower, and automate actions. But you hold on to rituals.
Rituals save, create, and change. And they allow you to get a new meaning.
Asher Yozer is an artistic research project that I’m trying to figure out if there’s any point in what’s happening to me.
In considering this, I have come to the conclusion that the answer to this question can neither be banished nor heard. But if I try to create my alphabet and my own reading rules, maybe that’s how I’ll find a tool that will allow me to get into the «unspoken» area.
I’ve identified a list of things that are important to me and I’m trying to explore them. Trying to regain my long-known words by missing the thought of a fictional artist, Asher, who is free of my innate and acquired stigma. Listening to what my body tells me in the process, which is whispered to me by a psychic that I was able to create.
So I answer my own insoluble questions, suggesting the next movement in this improvisation, trying to find the walls and corners of a possible space.
