Hearsay

Hearsay, 1985

In 1984/85, Norman White chose the transformation of a text through multiple transmission as the theme of his "Hearsay": within a period of 24 hours a poem by Robert Zeno was transmitted from one group of artists to another, and each time it was translated into a different language. The final product of this chain was then sent back to its origin in Toronto.

"Hearsay was a telecommunications event based upon the children's game whereby a secret message is whispered from person to person till it arrives back at its originator. In this case a message was sent around the world in 24 hours, roughly following the sun, via a global computer network (ARTEX/I. P. Sharp Associates). Each of the eight participating centres was charged with translating the message into a different language before sending it on. The whole process was monitored at Toronto's A-Space." src

Credits:
"Hearsay" concept development: Laura Kikauka, Carl Hamfelt, Robert Adrian X., And Norman T. White
Gallery installation and documentation: Laura Kikauka, Carl Hamfelt, And Norman T. White.
Overall project organizer: Norman T. White

Original text:

THE MESSAGE

(FOR MARSHALL MCLUHAN)

THE MESSENGER ARRIVED OUT OF BREATH. THE DANCERS STOPPED THEIR
PIROUETTES, THE TORCHES LIGHTING UP THE PALACE WALLS FLICKERED FOR A
MOMENT, THE HUBBUB AT THE BANQUET TABLE DIED DOWN, A ROASTED
PIG'S NUCKLE FROZE IN MID-AIR IN A NOBLEMAN'S FINGERS, A GENERAL BE-
HIND THE PILLAR STOPPED FINGERING THE BOSOM OF THE MAID OF HONOUR.

"WELL, WHAT IS IT, MAN?" ASKED THE KING, RISING REGALLY FROM HIS
CHAIR. "WHERE DID YOU COME FROM? WHO SENT YOU? WHAT IS THE NEWS?"
THEN AFTER A MOMENT, "ARE YOU WAITING FOR A REPLY? SPEAK UP
MAN!"

STILL SHORT OF BREATH, THE MESSENGER PULLED HIMSELF TOGETHER. HE
LOOKED THE KING IN THE EYE AND GASPED: "YOUR MAJESTY, I AM NOT
WAITING FOR A REPLY BECAUSE THERE IS NO MESSAGE BECAUSE NO ONE SENT
ME. I JUST LIKE RUNNING."

step 1:
The original message was sent from Toronto ('NTW') to Des Moines ('EBANK').
NO. 2575245 FILED 17.33.05 MON 11 NOV 1985
Translation to spanish - Translator: Cindy Hilden. Project coordinator: Fred Truck, The Electric Bank, 4225 University, Des Moines, Iowa 50311.

step 2:
The spanish version sent from Des Moines, U.S.A. ('EBANK') to Sydney, Australia ('CAISY').
NO. 2575370 FILED 19.30.15 MON 11 NOV 1985
Translation to english - Translator: Amelia Bresciani, Radio Station 2EA. Project coordinator: Eric Gidney, lecturer in electronic media at the City Art Institute, Sydney, Australia.

step 3:
The english version sent from Sydney, Australia ('CAISY') to Tokyo, Japan ('MASA').
NO. 2575714 FILED 4.59.21 TUE 12 NOV 1985
Translation to japanese - Translator and project coordinator: Masayuki Hayashi, INTEC INC. (representative for I.P.Sharp Associates), Tokyo, Japan.

step 4:
The japanese version sent from Tokyo, Japan ('MASA') to Vienna, Austria ('RAX').
NO. 2575780 FILED 7.58.29 TUE 12 NOV 1985
Translation to german - Translator: Sumiko Lester (Japanese cultural service). Project coordinator: Robert Adrian X. (Artex steward), Vienna, Austria.

step 5:
The german version sent from Vienna, Austria ('RAX') to Gwent, Wales ('ASCOT').
NO. 2575890 FILED 10.38.55 TUE 12 NOV 1985
Translation to welsh - Location: Gwent College of Higher Education, School Of Fine Art, Caerleon, Wales, U.K.Organiser: Roy Ascott, Head Of Fine Art, Gwent.

step 6:
The welsh version sent from Gwent, Wales ('ASCOT') to Pittsburg, U.S.A. ('DAX').
NO. 2575987 FILED 13.32.42 TUE 12 NOV 1985
Translation to english - Translator: David E. Renshaw, Project coordinator: Bruce Breland, College Of Fine Arts, Carnegie-Mellon University, Pittsburg, Pennsylvania.

step 7:
The english version sent from Pittsburg, U.S.A. ('DAX') to Chicago, U.S.A. ('SAIC'):
NO. 2576354 FILED 19.03.42 TUE 12 NOV 1985
Translation to hungarian: Translator: Marton Sass. Technical supervisor: Kevin Huotari. Project coordinator: Paul Hayward.

step 8:
The hungarian version sent from Chicago, U.S.A. ('SAIC') to Toronto, Canada ('NTW').
NO. 2576467 FILED 21.06.41 TUE 12 NOV 1985

final step:
The final version translated into english at Toronto, Canada. Location: A-Space Gallery, Toronto, Ontario. Translator: Theodor Csizmazia. Technical support: Bob Bernecky (I.P.Sharp Associates).

MESSENGER: PANTING.

THE DANCERS HAVE BEEN ORDERED TO DANCE, AND BURNING TORCHES
WERE PLACED ON THE WALLS.
THE NOISY PARTY BECAME QUIET.
A ROASTING PIG TURNED OVER ON AN OPEN FLAME.
THE KING SAT CALMLY ON HIS FESTIVE CHAIR, HIS HAND ON A
WOMAN'S BREAST.

IT APPEARED THAT HE WAS SITTING THROUGH A MARRIAGE CEREMONY.
THE KING ROSE FROM HIS SEAT AND ASKED THE MESSENGER WHAT IS
TAKING PLACE AND WHY IS HE THERE? AND HE WANTED AN ANSWER.
THE MESSENGER, STILL PANTING, LOOKED AT THE KING AND REPLIED:
YOUR MAJESTY, THERE IS NO NEED FOR AN ANSWER. AFTER ALL,
NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. NO ONE SENT ME. I RISE ABOVE EVERYTHING.

NO. 2576692 FILED 1.15.29 WED 13 NOV 1985


References:
http://www.normill.ca/Text/Hearsay.txt - The original text on Norman T. White's website.
http://telematic.walkerart.org/timeline/timeline_white.html - A copy of the same.
http://alien.mur.at/rax/ARTEX/index.html - Robert Adrian's web archive.
Communication Art
La Plissure du Texte

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