ERIK

Installation

Multiple speakers, cigar box, illustrated map of ERIK & video

1994

While living in Amsterdam in 1993 Georgina Starr found a cigar box on a bridge with a mysterious hand written message on the back of it :

Dear Erik,

I've known you now for many years. It was always good to see you and hear your voice. We ate together often, mostly in harmony. I've always valued the wise words you spoke to me. I've not seen you now for a long time. But I hope we'll spend a pleasant evening together again.

Perr

While trying to locate the elusive 'Erik' she discovered that everyone had a story to tell about him. The collected stories were used to create one 'Super Erik'—a man who embodied the characteristics and quirks of all the Erik's she had heard about.

Map of ERIK (click to enlarge)

ERIK was originally exhibited as an audio installation at the Stedelijk Museum Bureau in Amsterdam in 1994. The intimately whispered stories played over 12 speakers around the gallery space creating a cacophony of words, secrets and voices.

In the same year ERIK was translated into Japanese for the exhibition 'High Fidelity' (curated by James Roberts) in Nagoya, Japan.

In 1994 people were invited to subscribe to ERIK. The subscribers received a piece of him (on audio cassette, postcards and VHS video) in the mail each month for 2 years.

Georgina Starr, ERIK Edition M1-M20 (Postcards, audio cassettes & VHS video) (1994)