Wager #6 ...is coming soon.

Due to some unexpected circumstances - 

Wager #6 will be posted in 2 weeks time.

Sorry for the delay.

Wager #5: There.

29 x 42 cm 

(The overall work has a lot more white space around it than this scan makes it appear.)

Thread, graphite and found advertisement clipping from "Jours de France" (6 April 1963)

Wager #4 : Red Tape

20.5 x 29.5 cm, 2009
Found color photograph and some found chairs*
*The round back chair is cut out of the paper.

//

Last week I had to go to the Auslaenderbehoerde (the Foreigner's Agency) to get a new residency permit.
These offices are the same everywhere; lines, waiting rooms, nondescript furniture, instant coffee machines. Then there are the employees - those people who have stuffed animal collections behind their desks and also those who hate their jobs (sometimes they are one in the same).
I had spent 2 weeks running around town prior to my meeting, getting forms filled out from different agencies and asking people to write letters for me stating my employment. Even though all my paperwork was in order, I felt vulnerable. My residency permit was contingent on someone who didn't know me. During these moments while I was waiting for my number (666!) to be called, I started to think about the economic crisis again. My permit request could have been turned down - there are Germans here who could do what I do... As I managed to work myself into a frenzy - number 666 flashed on the digital monitor.
I went to the room and met with the official. Fortunately I was granted an extension for now.

Wager #3 : Santa Barbara Burning

30 x 45 cm, Archival Digital Print
2009

I will never forget the Sycamore Canyon Fire of 1979 in Santa Barbara - it was dangerously close to my family home. My parents, sister and I had packed the car and we were ready to evacuate. The fire marshall kept driving through our streets warning us and the neighbors that we would have to go at any moment. Former World War II bomber planes had been converted to aerial water tankers and were dropping water on the scene. The air was hot and ash was every where. We even managed to see the flames as they shot up on the mountain behind us. It was devastating. Fortunately at the very last minute we didn't have to evacuate because the wind took a turn, but I had many friends who's homes were not saved.

Forest fires are a unfortunately very common in Santa Barbara County. About 2 months ago the city endured yet another huge fire. While there for the holidays, I toured the burned out areas. What I really don't understand is the way a fire moves. 'Dancing' has often been associated with fires. That word rang in my mind as I saw one house left standing on what was now a bald mountain side.

Wager #2 : Her presence

Her presence
Found color photograph, thread, magazine clipping from "Better Homes and Gardens" (circa 1950's), graphite
21 x 27 cm, 2008

//

I have been in California for the past week. It is clear that the presence of the economic down turn is more pronounced here than in Berlin. I went to the Westfield Mall on Market Street here in San Francisco and the atmosphere was the usual holiday frenzy - people carrying multiple shopping bags - but that fever was mixed with sales everywhere. I don't really remember that being the case years before. Usually there are sales after Christmas and then you hit yourself because you bought that great present for cousin Jessie and now the price has been slashed to half of what you paid for it. Anyway - sales everywhere and if you didn't know Christmas is next week.

Questions

The first run of this project has brought up some interesting questions (and wonderful feedback) that I would like to take the time to respond to:

I have been asked what an 'appropriate' bid could be. This is something for each individual bidder to determine for themselves. There is no unacceptable bid. Anything is possible and that amount should be what you, as the bidder, feel is appropriate to you and your pocketbook.

Secondly I was asked to lengthen the amount of time for bidding - which I have done. The next round of bidding will last the length of time between the postings, which could be up to 3 weeks.



Finally - the next post will be on the 17th of December.

Wager #1 : The Economy Inn

The Economy Inn has sold to the highest bidder.

Thanks to all who put in a bid.