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David Kramer
Making the Scene

October 13, 1999 - April 15, 2000

Artist Statement

MAKING THE SCENE. I am reminded of a story from when I was a kid. I remember that, when I was a kid, I couldn't read for the longest time. I think I couldn't read until sometime in the third or fourth grade. My parents were very concerned and I remember my mother took me down to see a doctor in the city. I remember myself in this doctor's office; it overlooked the East River. I remember he asked me to look out the window and describe what I saw. I remember clearly that he pointed out this billboard across the river, in Long Island City, and asked me if I knew what it said. I remember that I told him it said, "Drink Pepsi Cola". I was pretty proud of myself for knowing what it said. I was pretty pleased with myself for recognizing the sign. That sign is still here, in Long Island City. And I still get a big kick out of it every time I drive by. I am still awed by it's massive structure and it's neon. And, to this day, I still prefer to drink Pepsi instead of Coke.

MAKING THE SCENE. I have always been interested in signs and billboards. They proclaim all you need to know to navigate through this popular culture. I love the excessiveness of cultural iconography and yet I totally mistrust it. I am easily seduced by the sexiness of the simplest marketing strategy and hate myself for being so easy. The installation of the piece, Making the Scene, is at once proclaiming its all important message to the viewer and simultaneously leaving the viewer to wonder what, exactly, is going on around here.

"Here" is the crucial word. "Here" promises everything. Here it is. Here's what you asked for. Here we go again. Here is all you need to know.

David Kramer, Making the Scene, 1999; 14' x 5' x 7'; steel, aluminum, wood, fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs, paint. Continuously illuminated, with one flashing letter.