This August, in Seattle, Public Fiction presents an exhibition of early video art and activism

made for public access television. These segments will be screened alongside recent video works

by contemporary artists similarly using new technologies and new modes of distribution to address

their time. This is the first in a series of exhibitions by Public Fiction, which will track

a growing video archive dedicated to works made for public access––an archive that considers the

artist as a witness; television as a medium; citizen journalism; and the circulation of ideas.

A Witness and A Weapon at the Henry Art Gallery

Middle Grays, Color Bars, and the comma in between

This exhibition in two parts will showcase the work of Laurie Anderson, John Baldessari,

Meriem Bennani, Jaime Davidovich, Rami George, Allan Kaprow, Mark Leckey, Muntadas, Nam June Paik,

Sondra Perry, Otto Piene, Sigmar Polke, Willard Rosenquist, Aldo Tambellini, and Cally Spooner;

as well as collectives such as Paper Tiger Television, The Raindance Corporation,

TVTV (Top Value Television), Videofreex, and programs such as Alive From Off Center,

and The Medium is The Medium.

Alive From Off Center is being screened courtesy of Twin Cities Public Television and

the Walker Art Center.

All of the videos are credited individually on-site, but we would like to extend a special thank

you to Electronic Arts Intermix, RTLplus. ZKM|Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe, and Video Data Bank

for making these titles available,

As well as to all of the artists involved.

This project is supported by the Seattle Art Fair under the art direction of Laura Fried.
The two programs are curated by Public Fiction's Lauren Mackler quoting Deirdre Boyle

and Trinh T Min Ha in her titles.

A Witness and a Weapon is a co-presentation between the Seattle Art Fair and Henry Art Gallery.