Eliza Shaw Valk

Instructions for You + Me, Oberlin Edition.

Dear ENACT Participant, Please proceed as follows. As always, enthusiasm and immersion are key.

1. Print out attached PDF file entitled ThankYouOberlin_You+Me onto one 8.5” x 11” letter-sized piece of paper.
2. Tear sheet into one-inch squares.
3. Collect pieces in one hand and go outside.
4. Is it breezy? If so, continue. If not, wait.
5. Are there others crossing Tappan Square? If so, continue. If not, wait.
6. Begin to cross Tappan Square. Focus on distant object and walk quickly, with purpose.
7. Just as you’re passing another pedestrian or pair, let go of the scraps of paper.
8. Shriek. Or audibly gasp, swear, or squeal—whatever comes naturally.
9. Frantically chase after scraps of paper while crying out in dismay. Ad lib.
10. Does the other pedestrian start to help you? If so, while you’re chasing the scraps of paper, express exuberant thanks and say it’s part of an art project. Continue with breathless exclamations, “Omigad, did we get them all!?!” or along similar lines. If not, return to step one.
11. Once you’ve collected all the pieces, or as many as you can find, tell the other person or persons that you’d like to invite them to the exhibit. Ask for his/her/their phone number or email.
12. Part ways. Smile and wave good-bye. Hurry on.
13. Return to your room, studio, desk or kitchen table.
14. On a flat surface, arrange the collected pieces into the form of the original sheet of paper.
15. If pieces are missing, leave the gaps and move on. Do not lose your mind.
16. Take a photo of the assembled parts. It should say, “Thank you.” Or thereabouts.
17. Text the image to your new friend. This piece is now called “Thank you, ____” and fill in the blank with the person’s first name.
18. Upload to the exhibition website and tweet it, using the hashtags #thankyouOberlin and #enact. Tell us the name of the piece and anything of note regarding the process. Credit yourself.
19. You’re done! Congratulations! Sigh of relief, toast your good fortune.
20. Repeat as many times as you like or never again.

Thank you for your participation.

P.S. If you would like to record proceedings, please do! That would be swell. Recruit a comrade and upload photos or movies to exhibition site. Give credit to pal.

Instructions for We + You, Oberlin Edition.

Dear ENACT Participants,

Please proceed as follows. As always, enthusiasm and immersion are key. Blue skies and blustery weather recommended.

1. Obtain a ream of letter-sized paper (500 sheets).
2. Print out attached PDF file entitled ThankYouOberlin_We+You.
3. Divide stack into manageable sheaves and distribute among your accomplices (2-6 or as many as you can enlist, including photographers and/or smart phone operators).
4. Disperse yourselves at different points around the Quad, throughout campus, or town. If possible, set up cameras at strategic locations; those operating cameras must be fully absorbed in work and appear either oblivious to the proceedings or as bewildered bystanders.
5. Is it windy? If so, continue. If not, wait.
6. Is it busy—lunchtime, between classes or after work? If so, continue. If not, wait.
7. Holding a sheaf of paper in hand, each player begins a circuit, focusing on a distant object and walking quickly, with intent.
8. Just as a player passes another pedestrian or group of pedestrians, s/he lets go of the sheets of paper.
9. Players shriek. Or audibly gasp, swear, squeal—whatever comes naturally.
10. Players frantically chase after scraps of paper while crying out in dismay.
11. Do other pedestrians start to help you? If so, players continue chasing after paper and express exuberant thanks, saying it’s part of a project. Continue with breathless exclamations, “Omigad, did we get them all!?!” or along similar lines.
12. Once all of the sheets are collected, or as many as can be found—and do try to collect them all so as not to litter!—players express wish to invite unsuspecting recruits to the exhibit and ask for contact phone numbers or emails.
13. Do not linger. Part ways and hurry on.
14. Players re-assemble.
15. On a wall with at least 23’ x 14’ clearance (width by height), affix sheets via prescribed grid (numbers run left to right, alphabet runs top to bottom, sheets oriented in landscape).
16. If sheets are missing, leave the gaps and move on. Do not lose your minds.
17. Take a photo of the assembled parts. It should say, “Thank you.” Or thereabouts.
18. Edit recordings and upload images and/or movies to the exhibition website. Piece is now called “Thank you, Oberlin.” Credit yourselves.
19. Tweet photo and/or link to exhibit, using the hashtags #thankyouOberlin and #enact. Tell us anything of note regarding the process. Text or email the same to new friends.
20. You’re done! Congratulations! Sigh of relief, toast your good fortunes.

Thank you for your participation.