Paul Tschinkel, Tehching (Sam) Hsieh from the ART/new york videotape Performance Art, 1982
An article about endurance artist Tehching Hsieh in T: The New York Times Style Magazine inspired Gallery 98 to feature the 1980s performance art pioneer as the subject of this week’s email. In the article, art critic Andrew Russeth links Hsieh to the current pandemic in the following provocative terms: “During a crisis with no end in sight, durational performances–-art about waiting—surfaces in our consciousness. Is this the art of our age?”
Hsieh’s posters have always been extremely popular at Gallery 98. Here are some items from our current inventory that provide an overview of the performances that established the reputation of this now legendary artist.
One Year Performance (Cage Piece)
September 30, 1978 – September 29, 1979
Sam Hsieh In A Cage For One Year, photograph by Michael Shen. Postcard, 1981, size: 4 x 6 inches.
Sam Hsieh’s first duration performance was living for a year in an 11 x 9 x 8 foot wooden cage with only a wash basin, lights, a pail and a small bed. To make the performance even more difficult, Hsieh did not allow himself to talk, read, write or listen to radio or TV.
One Year Performance (Time Clock Piece)
April 11, 1980 – April 11, 1981
Sam Hsieh Punching His Time Clock on the Hour, photograph by Michael Shen. Postcard, 1981, size: 4 x 6 inches.
In his second one-year performance Hsieh punched a time clock every hour on the hour, each time taking a single picture of himself for a 6-minute film animation. This is the invitation card for the first screening of the film, held at Hsieh’s studio on the day the Time Clock performance ended in 1981.
One Year Performance (Outdoor Piece)
September 26, 1981 – September 26, 1982
One Year Performance by Sam Hsieh. Opening on Sept. 26, 1981 At 2:00 P.M., Photo by Laura Salernd, poster/mailer, 1981, size: 17 x 11 inches.
For his third endurance performance Hsieh spent one year outside, not entering buildings or shelter of any sort, including cars, trains, airplanes, boats or tents. This poster invites people to the beginning of the performance at Tribeca Park. With each new season Hsieh sent out similar posters inviting people to gather with him in other outdoor public spaces.
$350
One Year Performance (Rope Piece)
July 4,1983 – July 4,1984
Art/Life, One Year Performance, Linda Montano and Tehching Hsieh, poster/mailer, 1983, size: 17 x 11 inches.
For this two-person performance, Hsieh collaborated with artist Linda Montano. For one year they were tied to each other with an 8-foot-long rope, required to stay in the same room together, and not allowed to touch each other. The poster spotlights the dates when people could witness the performance in Hsieh’s studio.
$350
One Year Performance (No Art Piece)
July 1 1985 – July 1, 1986
One Year Performance by Tehching Hsieh, poster/mailer, 1985, size: 17 x 11 inches.
This spare enigmatic poster announces a one-year performance in which Hsieh disconnected from the world of art. In a press release he announced I Not Do Art, Not Talk Art, Not See Art. I Just Go In Life. This performance was followed by Thirteen Year Plan during which Hsieh would make art but not show it publicly. A concluding report issued in 2000 simply states “I kept myself alive.”
$450
You can can see more Hsieh works on his Artist Page at Gallery 98
