For You [W]Rapper

jgath [w]rapper 2.jpg

For You, [W]Rapper is a performance to catalyze generosity in viewers’/participants’ real lives.

I invite attendees/participants to think of someone in their lives and to let that person know – this time in the form of a gift.

[W]rapper works as a narrative with three stages. First, you are participating right now, as you read this call to bring presents for the people in your life and start thinking about what you’d like to share and with who. The core of the performance is a small conversation we have about the recipient – why them? why this gift? why now? – followed by my/our wrapping of the gift, and putting it back in your hands. The work ends with the recipients of the gift receiving them – whenever and wherever that may happen.

Photo: Mobius, Boston, MA

For You, [W]Rapper Schematic, pencil, craft paper, gouache on graph paper, 2009

Photo: Mobius, Boston, MA

Materials: presents (supplied by and returned to audience members), conversations, wrapping materials, rap music: Contribution – Jurassic 5; 4000 Miles and Purest Love – Blackalicious; Fear Not of Man – Mos Def; Yesterday – Atmosphere; No Regrets – Aesop Rock

deCordova Sculpture Park & Museum Biennial 2012, Lincoln, MA

Photo: Tasha Doremus, Vox Populi, Philadelphia, PA

Photo: Tasha Doremus, Vox Populi, Philadelphia, PA

The final destination used to be my main question, but then I looked and all that I was searchin’ for was present.

—Blackalicious, 4000 Miles

Press

2011 the artblog: August 25, Andreea Bailuc. “Jessica Gath’s Gift Giving Without a Registry’’

2011 the artblog: August 15, Roberta Fallon. “One night wonders at Grizzly and Vox and other things worth seeing at August First Friday

2011 Philadelphia Weekly: August 3, Katherine Rochester. “August First Friday Picks”