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About 5 Easy Steps
Five Easy Steps a public project on billboards and buses from in Willimantic, CT to North Adams, Mass. March 1-April 1, 2004 About 5 Easy Steps I love infomercials. The feeling of desire they create is its own reward. They make me want space bags and body shapers and steam cleaners and things that will automatically braid my hair. They make me feel hopeful and happy. When I’m having an infomercial moment, I know I can improve my life - look better, feel better, cook better BE better – just by watching. I often write down the web address or toll free number, but my follow through is very weak. It’s all in the moment of watching for me. And though I buy nothing - my pleasure is never diminished. 5 Easy Steps began with the idea of creating a Burma Shave-style trail of billboards and buses that would follow a route I was interested in traveling - a project about the journey we’re all making. When I realized my trail of images was becoming an infomercial on billboards and buses, the project really came to life for me. In 5 Easy Steps there is nothing to buy and no follow through needed - just a spirit of optimism and a willingness to believe in simple solutions. As in my other public projects, I use the computer to combine photographs of myself with various scenarios usually taken from vintage magazines. Harrison Judd, my dear friend and life partner, takes the photographs of me that appear in these pieces. I also photograph him at least once, so I can make him part of each project. This time, he appears in Step #4 Be Marvelous – looking sophisticated and world weary in that cool vintage sports car. In 5 Easy Steps I think of myself as a female Ron Popeil - the undisputed king of infomercial advertising – publicly promoting the notion that to succeed is easy and fun and costs nothing. Anyone can do it - anything you desire can be achieved - with these 5 Easy Steps. The route 5 Easy Steps travels, beginning in my home town of Willimantic, CT and ending in North Adams, MA is the route I travel to visit Mass MoCa, my favorite east coast museum. It’s a lovely trip into the Berkshires with a great art reward at the end. I invite you to join me. I’ve provided a map to help you do just that. I hope you enjoy 5 Easy Steps, enter into its infomercial inspired spirit, and use its sure-fire formula to claim your prize – whatever that is for you. Special Thanks to the Following People & Organizations: Harrison Judd for photography, technical assistance, creative counseling and marvelous-ness. The Eastern Connecticut State University Library Archives for the use of the photograph of downtown Willimantic in 1948 as the background image for Step #1 Start Here 5 Easy Steps is supported by a Connecticut State University Research Grant, and grants from the Berkshire Artists Trust Fund and the Te Foundation.
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