Dated work samples

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You are invited to participate in redefining how we measure up.

Assessments, tests, certifications, degrees, forms, criminal records, proof, notarized copies, bank accounts, medical records, proof of citizenship, voting registration, genetic testing, carbon footprint, batting average, dated work samples...

I am collecting questions about your worth. I will use these words as the foundation for the next phase of this project.

What are alternative ways we can define our value and worth to each other in a capitalist, and increasingly automated and impersonal, society mediated by artificial intelligence? 

The concept of the value of a human life has been continuously debated, abused, analyzed, leveraged, and distorted. Most of the earth's inhabitants are not able to determine their own value to those in power over them. While I learn the history and current practice of slavery, read headlines of senseless war and gun violence, observe the double standards and racism in every day life, feel powerless against a massive refugee crisis, and angry toward the current administration in the United States, I consider the luck of my own privilege. I invite you to wonder with me -  what if your value was determined by the efforts you labor, the love you feel, the observations you make, or how much you are worth to your family, friends, or community?

How is your worth quantified? 

The questions should begin with the following phrases -  How much… How many… How high… How low… How old… How fast… How long… How far… How big…Or similar.

The answers should be able to be measurable in numerical quantities - something that could be put into a graph or data set. You don’t have to provide the answers. I just want the questions. Please write your initials and a date that has meaning for you in relation to the question.

Your final submissions would look like:
How many children do I have? BD 3.12.2004
How fast can I recall math facts? LP 6.1.1983
How many miles have I driven? HG 1.1.1986
How many days since I smoked my last cigarette? NS 1.1.2000
How old are my shoes? NS 2.7.2018
How many lines of code have I written? GT 1.30.1999
How many times have I been nice to someone I don’t like? GT 8.1.2017

There are several ways to participate:

Some of the submissions will be selected and used in future visual representations. For example, the questions may be used as part of a custom fabric design that will be used to sew items of clothing to be given as gifts. The creative process in this project is inspired by the individuality of cursive hand-writing, the comfort and protection of clothing, the vastness of counting, and the power of the people to overcome oppression.

Check http://www.datedworksamples.life for updates on this project as it evolves.

 

* While I look forward to your questions that demonstrate diverse views and experience, those that demonstrate hate speech, racism, violence or intolerance will not be accepted.