Detour: Color Commentator Eleanor LeBeau on Artist Arzu Ozkal #4

Images from Arzu's press release for "Relief valve,"on exhibit at the George Jones Memorial Farm in Oberlin from May 28-June 2.

THE ENDURANCE PERFORMANCE: DAY FIVE

05.09.10

9:52 a.m.; 3:19 p.m.; 5:26 p.m.

Arzu and I exchange emails. I dont know if its a good idea to give you play-by-play commentary about todays discussions. I suspect you may soon be grateful for my omissions, which I hope dont frustrate you too much right now.

Arzu went to Home Depot today for supplies, although she didnt say for what. Arzu rarely provides direct answers to my questions, only clues. Im fairly certain she doesnt have the time. Maybe she doesnt want to. Arzu strikes me as a doer, not someone who talks about doing. Besides, whats it like to be inundated with questions while youre in the middle of creating something? The sound of a ringing phone feels like an electric shock when Im writing. That said, perhaps my concerns about being too intrusive have made me a passive, overly self-reflexive commentator.

Today is Mothers Day and I have several mothers. I am busy, too.

11:49 p.m.

Arzus latest email confirms something Ive thought for several days now: She juggles multiple roles and projects with enviable equanimity. Monday is the start of Finals Week at Oberlin College, where she teaches Design as Social Process and New Media Practices and is currently dealing with art students in the throes of year-end deadlines. There are classes, office hours and Detour. Plus shes curating an exhibition that opens in two weeks.