
Date of issue: 28.07.2008
Record label: Warner
Song language: English
The Salesman |
Now the book is called Stories from the Nerve Bible, and what I mean by the |
Nerve Bible is the body. |
And parts of the body appear and disappear throughout |
the book, adding up to a kind of self-portrait, although not a very |
naturalistic one. |
And I used the word Bible in the title of this book because |
the first really strange stories I remember hearing were Bible stories |
And these stories were completely amazing; |
about parting oceans, |
and talking snakes. |
And people really seemed to believe these stories, |
and I’m talking about adults. |
Adults, who mainly just did the most mundane |
things imaginable-mowing their lawns and throwing potluck parties-they all |
believed in these wild stories, and they would sit around and discuss them in |
the most matter-of-fact way. |
So, in a way, I was introduced to a special local |
form of surrealism at an early age |
And so there was always a question in my mind about what’s actually true, |
and what is just another art form |
Now I’ve always been interested in trying to define what makes up the late |
twentieth century American, for example. |
And so, as an artist, I’ve always |
thought my main job was to be a spy, to use my eyes and ears, and find some of |
the answers |
For example, I like to hang around the banks of phones in airports, |
one of my favorite listening posts, and eavesdrop on conversations. |
Now I usually travel on the same schedule as salesmen, and after lunch these |
guys call into the main office. |
And I just stand there at the phones, |
listening in and taking notes for my portrait of the American salesman |
Uh, Frank? |
Listen, Frank, you know, I hate to say this about Brad, I mean we both know |
he’s got a heck of a job- |
Yeah. |
Yeah. |
Oh, you’re so right |
But you know, we both know that Brad just isn’t pulling his weight, |
you know what I mean? |
And I’m not saying this just because we’re both up for |
the same Safeway account |
So this book is really a collection of voices and stories, as well as portraits |
of people that I’ve met along the way |
Name | Year |
---|---|
O Superman (For Massenet) | 2005 |
Bright Red | 2008 |
Speak My Language | 2005 |
My Right Eye | 2010 |
Big Science | 2005 |
Born, Never Asked | 2005 |
Speechless | 2008 |
Freefall | 2008 |
From the Air | 2005 |
World Without End | 2008 |
In Our Sleep | 2005 |
Walking and Falling | 2007 |
Bodies in Motion | 2010 |
Example #22 | 2007 |
Tightrope | 2008 |
Beautiful Pea Green Boat | 2008 |
The Puppet Motel | 2008 |
Washington Street | 2001 |
Muddy River | 2008 |
Slip Away | 2001 |