Born 1975, in Torrington, CT, lives and works in Boston, MA
Received her MFA from Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Boston, MA and her BA from Tufts University, Medford, MA
www.jessicagath.org
Forgot mother’s day? Want to send a little love to your partner, your grandma, or your fourth grade teacher? Jessica Gath aims to help you out, one performance at a time. Gath is known to wrap gifts, customize t-shirts with secret sewn messages, and transcribe love letters for participants, all in front of an audience. These gifting performances extend the Duchampian maxim that an artwork is only made complete through the interpretation of a viewer. In her ‘pay it forward’ practice, she orchestrates an additional transaction—one that takes place outside of the gallery, between viewers and their loved ones. In this, she deals in kindness and generosity services.
Gath’s particular interest is in increased connection, building a platform for shared experience where loved ones come together. For The 2012 deCordova Biennial she will present this opportunity to deCordova visitors. Over the course of several weekends, Gath will perform her For You series on a built stage in the third floor lobby. This will include gift wrapping, postcards for mailing to loved ones, and sewing performances. Through these acts, she invites us to reflect on the kinder, gentler, generous side of performance art—and also to be a bit more thoughtful
