THE JUNK MAIL PROJECT

PERFORMANCE -- CHICAGO
REVERSE TRASH STREAMS: The Junk Mail Project (Phase I) opened in Chicago on October 20, 2007. In conjunction with the City of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs, Barbara Hashimoto presented the performance / installation, Shredded Junk Mail with Grand Piano as part of Chicago Artists Month. The performance was held in Hashimoto’s 2,000-square foot studio, at BauerLatoza Studio, a multi-disciplinary architecture firm where she is Artist-in-Residence.



Bringing together musician Edward Torrez and videographer Eric Hoffhines, Hashimoto built an installation from the shredded junk mail she has been collecting since June 2007.



At the commencement of the performance, an imposing pile of this shredded unsolicited material, measuring 30 x 10 x 8 feet was amassed in the center of the performance space. Alongside this carefully constructed barricade, was a small plaque identifying it as the amount of junk mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service to the architecture firm for a period of less than five months. Nearby, Junk Mail Facts (such as, “100 million trees are cut down to produce junk mail annually”) set the stage.



As Torrez played on the concert grand piano, Hashimoto transferred her stockpile of shredded junk mail onto the piano until it fully engulfed the instrument and musician. Her actions, initially deliberate and calm, grew into a frenzied crescendo and then into meditative resignation.

Buried in paper, Torrez continued to play, his final melodic lullabies muffled by the hundreds of pounds of paper entombing the piano. He succumbed to the interment as Hashimoto made a bed in this newly constructed haystack-like structure and feel to sleep.



A limited edition bound book with accompanying video of Shredded Junk Mail with Grand Piano is available. The book contains documentation of the performance along with video stills, photography, and a complimentary CD, "20 Bars of Junk Mail", by 17-year old rap artist Styles2Rich is included

MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE JUNK MAIL PROJECT

Images this page: Eric Hoffhines, video stills