1 hour 16 mins
Ongoing Observation
10.30.2025 -
Providence, Rhode Island
Instruction
This action was initially conceived by a rusty strut that belongs to an abandoned gallery in my hometown. The first action happened in Shanghai, August, 2025. About three months later, the opening event for an exhibition in Providence triggered its iteration.
I brought about 20 rolls of bandages to the Providence National Bank Facade (0.2 mile to the gallery) and the goal was to use up all the bandages on site. This unannounced action was set to happen at 7pm when the opening event officially started. A note would be displayed in the gallery simultaneously, inviting people to the performance site if they want.
Providence National Bank was demolished in 2005, which was built to be the headquarter of Rhode Island's oldest bank. The facade became the one and only remnant and was once proposed to integrate into a new ambitious urban structure in the state, yet it was never realized. The site is a parking lot.
Passing by the facade, it leads my way to the library, my major department, the bus station. I encountered a painter from a public art group who was drawing mushrooms on it before my first class. The group is trying to rebirth the facade through murals. We had a simple conversation. The man told me they would change the painting every few years.