Jane Greengold: The Baroque Rolodex: Part II

Geri Atwood
Carter Frank
Jane Greengold
Shelly Hirsch

This installation continuing the artist’s work from an earlier installation at Westbroadway Gallery, New York City, consisted of rolodexes, each one placed on top of a white pedestal. These pedestals were arranged in rows, mapping out a grid in the gallery. On the desk was a rolodex containing a photographic record of the rolodexes on other gallery desks. Other rolodexes included one with friends’ file card self-portraits, one with playing cards, one with tiny pillows, one with white gloves and one housed in a head. During the performance, dancers Carter Frank and Geri Atwood moved along the corridors created by the pedestals. Movement corresponded to the geometrical arrangement of the installation. Jane Greengold and Sally Banes worked at a table nearby making more rolodex cards. Musical accompaniment was provided by Shelly Hirsch singing her own compositions. Dances included “Cat’s Cradle” which began with a slow walk and sped to a run, “Double Solos,” “Circles” consisting of looping figure eights, “Empty Space Walk,” “Relay Race,” and “Horizontals.” Songs included “ma lo de a,” “HooOowoOooO,” “Scat,” “Improvisation,” “On the Outskirts of the City,” and “Tell Your Mother.”

Excerpted from Brentano, R., & Savitt, M. (1981). 112 Workshop, 112 Greene Street: History, artists & artworks. New York: New York University Press.