The State of Things, a temporary sculpture of the word “Democracy” sculpted in ice by ligorano/reese, is part of Provision Library’s “Brushfire” programming leading up to the Democratic and Republican National Conventions.

The State of Things was first performed in the spring of 2006 on the 3rd anniversary of the Iraq war (see video). On September 1st, in collaboration with Northern Lights as part of the UnConvention, Ligorano/Reese will recreate the Democracy ice sculpture, weighing over 1000 pounds and measuring 5 feet high, and 20 feet wide, in front of the St. Capitol Building in St. Paul, MN. The unveiling is set for 12 noon, Labor Day. It will also be performed in Denver during the DNC at the MCA DENVER. Over the course of the installation, from 12-24 hours, the word “Democracy” will tragically disappear. It’s a testimonial to the impact eight years of extreme judicial, legislative, and executive actions have had on American democratic institutions - from the landmark Supreme Court decision “Bush v. Gore” in 2000 to presidential signing statements to illegal FISA surveillance. Video, photography, and audio of the decline of The State of Things will be streamed live over the internet, with the goal of public projections and presentations around the world both synchronously and asynchronously.

Nora Ligorano and Marshall Reese have collaborated together as Ligorano/Reese since the early 80’s. Nora Ligorano is a visual artist and graduated from Maryland Institute, College of Art. In 1982, she was a Fulbright fellow in design arts in Spain. Marshall Reese is a poet and video artist. In 1978, he received an NEA Creative Writers Fellowship for his poetry. He studied classical languages, classical art and architecture at Pomona College in California.

Press Release - The State of Things - July 1, 2008

To volunteer to help with The State of Things Please contact:

Andrea
Phone: 920-268-6339
Email: steu0033@gmail.com
Download flyer: Call for volunteers for The State of Things