Joe Brainard: I Remember

  

In this video excerpt (start around the nine-minute mark), Paul Auster and Jim Jarmusch talk about the American writer and artist, Joe Brainard. In particular, they discuss his seminal autobiography, I Remember (1970). Here's a link to a wonderful website that has collected work by him and about him.

Today in class we're going to make a text-installation in honor of Brainard's simple but miraculous process of recovering memories.

Each student will write 20 short sentences beginning with the words, "I remember...". After writing the sentences, divide into groups of approximately 4 students. Read your sentences out loud to your group. Discuss, laugh, have fun, etc. Choose 5 of your sentences to transpose onto the receipt tape I have provided. Each strip should be 6 or 7 feet, but it doesn't have to be precise. Write your sentences with a bold line (markers provided).

Following Brainard's model, avoid negativity and bitterness. If you spell a word wrong, start over. It's not a big deal. Help out your other group members. Once your entire group is finished, you should have 20 sentences written out on receipt tape. Go up to the 3rd floor and we'll install them in the corridor in random order. Easy. After all the tapes are up, we'll check them out then go back down to the second floor and have a little critique session.