The most successful work from my early career was AC Dickson: eBay PowerSeller. The show opened up two doors. Through one was the possibility of maybe, just maybe making a living as an artist.
Through the other was the chance to work with no experience as a creative at Wieden+Kennedy, arguably the most successful advertising agency in the world.
I walked the latter, although I kept the other one ajar continuing to make work and perform.
The idea of “selling out” was such a big deal back then, and had been for a long time. And working for the company that made ads for Nike felt like “selling out.” So I felt like I couldn’t just take the job quietly.
Through the other was the chance to work with no experience as a creative at Wieden+Kennedy, arguably the most successful advertising agency in the world.
I walked the latter, although I kept the other one ajar continuing to make work and perform.
The idea of “selling out” was such a big deal back then, and had been for a long time. And working for the company that made ads for Nike felt like “selling out.” So I felt like I couldn’t just take the job quietly.
Sell Out premiered at the 2007 PICA TBA festival. It was a lecture performance where I outlined the 27 steps to selling out.
Some people loved it. Some people were really upset and threatened by it. And some people wrote to me confiding that the show had made them realize they weren’t going to be able to continue to live in Portland and support or start a family. So they were going to have to change their life or move.
Perhaps that’s where the seed of my next performance piece Life Coach came from. Although I’ve never thought about that until writing this paragraph.
Some people loved it. Some people were really upset and threatened by it. And some people wrote to me confiding that the show had made them realize they weren’t going to be able to continue to live in Portland and support or start a family. So they were going to have to change their life or move.
Perhaps that’s where the seed of my next performance piece Life Coach came from. Although I’ve never thought about that until writing this paragraph.
