ORQ [The Oracle of Random Quotes]

margaret leng tan performs cage/nam-june/fluxus

2009-05-16T20:40:00.006-06:00

They don't call her the toy piano virtuoso for nothing. But that's not all she does. She also performed John Cage's 4'33" (four minutes and 33 seconds of silence in 3 segments for which she provided full disclosure - cautioning us that it would actually be a little longer because she was going to take a short break between each section.) While I didn't time it, I'm guessing it was about 4'44".

In a tribute to George Brecht (5 event scores) she made two impossible efforts - trying to lift Nam June' Paik's TV Bed and trying but not quite being able to sing all the notes of a very high scale.

Thanks to James Cohan Gallery for their consistently excellent exhibitions. It's the first time I've been to one of their events, and Margaret Lang Tan brought the energy of Nam June Paik's work to life.

Her finale was 0'00", specified by Cage as a "Solo To Be Performed In Any Way By Anyone: In a Feedback Situation Provided with Maximum Amplification (No Feedback), Perform a Disciplined Action." So after stamping a pile full of papers (and micing/amplifying the sound of stamping, Margaret got up and distributed a sheet to everyone in the gallery.

On the page were two excerpts, which I will randomly quote from:

"Investigators have seized £20 million worth of illegal ivory in south-east Asia in the past six weeks, including the third-largest haul of elephant tusks on record...about 37,000 African elephants are killed by poachers every year...With adult male elephant tusks weighing up to 50kg, the death of a single elephant can represent a year's income for a hunter."
--The Independent (UK) April 15, 2009.

What did the stamp read? TOY PIANOS DON'T KILL ELEPHANTS

random quote

2009-04-04T08:14:00.003-06:00

random quotes come from texts selected with eyes closed. From Paulo Coelho's El Alquimista: Una Fabula Para Seguir Tus Sueños:

"'Pero no hubo nada que hacer."

[But there was nothing to be done.]

ORQ@LP exhibition event moves to fall

2009-03-25T20:06:00.003-06:00

The originally-scheduled spring exhibition event of ORQ @ Local Project had to be changed because of a sudden studio move May 1st. Not far, actually in the same building, up to the floor that was vacated by Repetti. Here's hoping some of the good energy and rampant creativity will continue to inhabit their former home.

Guess this means that I didn't need to move that giant table I got from their moving give-away downstairs after all! But without me trying to fit it through the studio door, the security video of our hallway would be so much less amusing!

Looks like ORQ @ LP is on for October. This is one of the great things about LP...they are flexible!

About ORQ

2009-03-22T21:13:00.004-06:00

ORQ [The Oracle of Random Quotes]

"How far will we go to find meaning?" is the question at the heart of ORQ [The Oracle of Random Quotes]. Made up of three elements – human interaction, video projection, and drawings - ORQ uses text in uncanny ways to explore belief and free association. The Oracle, assisted by the artist/listener, enables reflection and dialogue on meaning, symbolism, and circumstance. Part serious, part playful, answers form as questioners choose random phrases – but wait, are they really random? ORQ [The Oracle of Random Quotes] is a new oracle created by artist Priscilla P. Stadler, drawing from the written texts of your choice. With the assistance of an ORQ listener, you choose the quotes and determine whether they are useful or appropriate for the answer(s) you are seeking. You are welcome to discuss it with the listener - or not.

Ask a Question. Leave an Answer.

Whether you have a question, need advice, find yourself in a conundrum or are just plain curious, visit ORQ [The Oracle of Random Quotes] at Local Project, 45-10 Davis Street in Long Island City - dates to be announced soon! Stay posted! During this ORQ event and exhibition visitors will be invited not only to ask questions of the Oracle but also to leave brief quotes as answers for other questioners.

Parrot Says "I Love ORQ"

2009-03-11T19:16:00.011-06:00

Mahmah the Parrot (front)

Email from Ana:

hi dear,

my parrot, while having one of her cheery speaking sessions, just said:

"I love ORQ"

I swear to you, I did not teach her to say that!!

I thought you should know. It may be pertinent to your grant applications.

love,
Ana

Mahmah the Parrot (back)

Change Exhibition Opening at Flushing Town Hall

2009-02-28T09:53:00.007-06:00

"From the natural world to the emotional and psychological landscape, change occurs regularly. Seasonal shift and emotional storms re-order our private, and sometimes public, worlds. The artwork presented in this show by Long Island City Artist, Inc., makes visible the subject, effect, and context of change." - postcard for Change exhibition

LICA (Long Island City Artists) is coordinating a juried group exhibition called Change from March 7 - April 26 at Flushing Town Hall, 137-35 Northern Boulevard, conveniently located near the last (or first) stop on the #7 train: Main Street.

Opening reception is Saturday 3/7 from 2 - 5 pm so please stop by if you can!

There will also be two Sunday Salons - conversations with the artists about changes we see (Sunday 3/22 and Sunday 4/12 at 2 pm, and a Studio Visit with two of the participating artists on 3/29.

Three of my digital drawings are in the show (note: an image of one of them, Fifth Change, is above on the invitation.)

ORQ tries to help the #7 train video

2009-02-28T08:49:00.008-06:00

In spite of its semi-dormant state, ORQ recently did a small consultation - a side-job - just to earn a little street cred while rolling over from its still somewhat hibernative trance. ORQ provided seven quotes for a video projection piece I've been working on when I got completely stuck about whether to use text in the piece and if so, what text.

The piece is an ode to the subway, to Queens, to journeying and to the #7 train, which traverses the city first heading from west to east under midtown Manhattan: from under Times Square, past the Fifth-Sixth Ave stop under the NY Public Library's Humanities and Social Science branch (home of the Piccirilli Brothers' beautifully-carved marble lions), below Grand Central, then via a rollicking tunnel ride under the East River to its two underground stops in Long Island City - Hunters Point and Vernon-Jackson.

Then the real #7 train fun begins: emerging from the tunnel with some of the curviest most dangerous-looking elevated track in the NYC subway system, the #7 winds and then speeds its way above ground for miles through the most diverse county in the U.S., according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Not to mention a lot of interesting vistas including Crane Street studios, aka "the graffiti" building, soon ( in April) to be the site of ORQ's spring awakening!

Ultimately the ORQ quotes were not selected for the video (something shorter and more topical worked better, thus the piece's title: Seven Word Pairs for the #7 Train.)

the hibernation of an Oracle

2009-01-24T22:02:00.003-06:00

ORQ [The Oracle of Random Quotes] is still a bonnie fresh-faced lass of an oracle in the landscape of oracular variations. And ORQ tends to be full of unexpected quirks (e.g., not so wild about Manhattan, doesn't appreciate loud bands while trying to give consultations, etc.) So it should have come as no surprise that ORQ likes to hibernate. Originally this respite was mistaken for a vacation. But it's become clear that this is pretty much a full-blown hibernation.

Apparently, at least in this stage in ORQ's oracular development, there is no reason for an Oracle to venture out in the type of bitter cold which has been prevalent in this current NYC winter.

So if you've been wondering what's up with ORQ, just listen for the snores emanating from the cave. Hopefully in hibernation, good ideas can and do germinate, because - **great news** - ORQ will be appearing this spring at Long Island City's Local Project, thanks to a grant from the Queens Council on the Arts.

Hopefully ORQ will be up and energized before then. More info soon.

Preparing for TheArtConspiracy

2008-11-23T07:45:00.005-06:00

It's been a rushing around period of several weeks, in preparation for ORQ's participation in TheArtConspiracy exhibition at Gallery Korea. There are five artists: Yeijin Jun, Susan C. Dessel, Seong-eun Hong, and Priscilla Proudwoman Stadler. Since it's a conspiracy I am obviously not allowed to discuss it. However, judging from the innovative and provocative work of these artists, a trip to Gallery Korea during December could be interesting and extremely worthwhile.

To learn more about each of TheArtConspiracy artists, visit the excerpted press release (pdf).

The exhibition runs from December 3 - January 2 and is open from 10 AM - 5 PM from Monday - Friday, or Saturday by appointment (call 212-759-9950). It's located at 460 Park Ave. (between 57th and 58th St.), 6th floor, New York, NY. The opening reception is on Dec. 3rd from 6 - 8 PM.

Ricky's Rents Pintchik Oracle's Message Space

2008-11-09T17:58:00.008-06:00

Thanks to Lisanne for the photo.

Even in the midst of pre-election busy-ness, not to mention getting ready for The End of The End of The End, there were some developments in the continuing investigation of the Pintchik Hardware Oracle.

A kind and generous photographer, Lisanne, offered to schlep over to Flatbush to get a good shot, and found that Ricky's was apparently renting from the Pintchik folks. So like it or not, their Oracle had Halloween season off.

Dear Flux Factory

2008-11-06T19:24:00.022-06:00

A truly rigorous questioner doing pull-ups prior to her ORQ consultation!

Dear Flux Factory,

Thank you for giving ORQ the room up the magic stairs at The End of The End of The End. Marian, whose room it was, left good incense, Palo Santu, and excellent vibes for the oracular goings-on. Unfortunately she herself wasn't able to get a reading that night because ORQ had to close up shop since our time was up, Abby was coming to read with the bullhorn, and ORQ was tired. Most regrettable, but hopefully Marian will be able to consult with ORQ in the future.

Meanwhile, ORQ sends all of its most positive energy - random, meaningful, and in-between - to the awesome creative team of Fluxers and friends, wishes you an end to run-ins with imminent domain, and hopes to see you again soon.
Love,
ORQ

new toy test at The End of The End of The End

2008-11-02T21:48:00.006-06:00

It looks like a steering wheel minus the car, but it's called a FiggRig (created by filmmaker Mike Figg.) Being field tested by my favorite videographer at ORQ's appearance at The End of The End of The End* at Flux Factory's building closing last Thursday.

*(to be continued)

attempting inter-oracular communication

2008-10-26T09:24:00.012-06:00

Apparently the Pintchik Oracle came back - at least, it had in May of this year. Lured by the prospect of inter-oracular communication, I decided today would be a good day to venture over to Brooklyn and consult the Pintchik Hardware Oracle.

Thanks to Lisanne for the photo. LED sign where Pintchik Oracle transmits its "wisdom", when available, is under the Ace Hardware sign.

But as any subway traveller trying to go from Queens to Brooklyn on a weekend knows, it's a good idea to call first. I felt funny calling just to ask about their Oracle, like I was trying to get psychic goodies without buying hardware.

So I made a somewhat pathetic attempt to disguise the true purpose of my call by asking about a product first. I decided to ask about something that I actually need, but unfortunately it turns out Pintchik does not sell panes of glass.

Delving in to my true reason for calling, I asked the woman who answered when I dialed "O" - "Is the Oracle back?" "No." Pause. "Will it be coming back?" "Yes." She was obviously not into disclosing oracular information.

"Do you know when?" "No." "Do you know how I can find out when?" I tried to explain that I had left the neighborhood, moved from Brooklyn to Queens, hoping she'd take pity on me. "We'll let people know." "How do you let people know? Do you have a website?" "No." I can tell I've dug myself into a customer service hole and am rapidly sinking in deeper and deeper, probably losing my chance at getting even the slightest whiff of the return of the Pintchik Oracle.

"Do you advertise it in the paper?" "Yes." "Which paper?" Long, long pause. I'm thinking she should just tell me to stop asking her these questions, it's an Oracle, and part of the point of an Oracle is mystery, right? Finally I relent. "Ok, I'll look for it. Thank you." And hang up, without panes of glass or further information.

The good news: I didn't spend an hour or more each way on the subway to have this conversation.

The Pintchik Paint and Hardware Store Oracle

2008-10-18T09:39:00.006-06:00

Last night at the Art-O-Mat* opening, I learned that neon artist Kenny had made a neon ouija board sculpture. Then he told me about an Oracle in Brooklyn which I really should have known about, considering I lived in Gowanus, the next neighborhood, at the time - The Pintchik Paint and Hardware Store Oracle. Here's an excerpt from the New Yorker (again?) article. To consult the Pintchik oracle you go to the phone in the store and the Oracle answers you on the LED billboard, which when not offering readings lets you know the special on gallons of egg-shell semi-gloss:

"A woman in a leather jacket came to the phone. “What’s the meaning of life?” she asked.
ORACLE: Why do people insist that life has a meaning?
WOMAN: So he answers the question with a question?
ORACLE: I was trained by the Great Greek philosophers and the Jewish ones, too. You’re Jewish, trust me.
WOMAN: But I’m not Jewish.
ORACLE: A great-grandfather was a Jewish shoemaker in Lodz.
WOMAN: No.
ORACLE: That’s a Jewish head of hair you have.
A few minutes later, five eleventh-grade boys crowded around the phone.
“Ask it, ask it . . . am I gonna be in the N.B.A.?” one of them said.
ORACLE: Maybe. As a fan."

From http://www.newyorker.com/archive/2003/11/03/031103ta_talk_schillinger

So, is the Pintchik Paint and Hardware Store Oracle still divining? What would happen if ORQ asked the Pintchik a question?

*My sculpture Former Tools is in the Familiar Spaces: Reconsidered exhibit. Each work in this show references a significant place from the artist's past. Special shout-out to Terry Blanchard, dear friend, for escaping arrest when she went to take the photo for me. Phew!

No easy answer. No sudden illumination.

2008-10-15T21:34:00.017-06:00

When asked whether ORQ's answers to her question had been meaningful, A. said, "No easy answer. No sudden illumination."

She had asked, "Will we ever buy the building?"

ORQ's answers:

"Warm are the still and lucky miles." - Jilly Cooper, The British in Love

"Pig omens, in general are a sign of wealth and good fortune." - Stephen Karcher, Total I Ching: Myths For Change

"Unless this is achieved, our country will be dominated by special interest groups." - MoveOn.Org, 50 Ways to Love Your Country

"In the autumn of 1969, Alinksy and I met again to talk about the cataclysmic events of the past four years." - Marion K. Sanders, The Professional Radical: Conversations with Saul Alinsky

Usually even if questioners ask I say that the interpretation is up to them, they are the Oracle. I'm just the listener. Often the answers doesn't make sense to me. But this one seemed so clear, and so positive: the "still and lucky miles", "wealth and good fortune", the dire-sounding domination of special interest groups "unless this is achieved". The last quote could refer to the difficulties leading up to buying the building, the struggles of the past few years. But these are all my ideas. I don't know A., nor her situation.

I wish her well.

[Drawing from the Not Heads-Just Connection series c. 2008 Priscilla P. Stadler]

ORQing again

2008-10-12T21:17:00.008-06:00

With my recent trips to a nearby swing state on the weekends, not to swing but to canvass, ORQ had had a break for a few weeks - and the last ORQ reading session had been of the butt-whipping variety due to unforeseen competition for prime real estate in Washington Square Park (typical Manhattan). See post "ORQ run over in Manhattan".

So after a mad cleaning fit at the studio to make it clear enough for ORQ, a few friends came over today for their consultations.

Just when I was starting to think meaning was a meaningless construct, ORQ came back, hitting a lot of points today.

There were five great questions from five different questioners:

*Will I ever be able to overcome my fear of dying?

*Is there life in outer space?

*Will the destructive course that this country has been taking come to a more positive closure in the near future?

*Am I going the right way in my life? or Where am I going and do I want to go there?

and

*What kind of question do you ask an Oracle?

Politics, humor, life, death, philosophy, life path direction...what a great day of questions. I'm really grateful for the risks that folks took by asking certain questions, you know who you are, thank you (sincerely.) And many thanks to multi-talented Maddie for helping film!!!

And J, X, M, and I had a great talk about connections, voids, emptiness, answers, questions, and more.

So Now Everyone's an Oracle?

2008-10-09T19:34:00.008-06:00

In this week's New Yorker, Lauren Collins' article about Arianna Huffington is entitled "The Oracle".

bittersweet news!

2008-10-03T20:09:00.007-06:00

The good news is ORQ has an invitation! Thanks to Carolina (for putting us in touch). The bad news is that it is "The End of The End of The End" of the Flux Factory. They are (sob) losing their building.
Never ones to let the thought of imminent demise stop them, this weekend Flux's livingroom project is happening in various spaces throughout the city, in conjunction with Open House. Sunday I hope to go to some, especially Emily Clark's Teacher’s Lounge at P35M–Manhattan High School
(317 W. 52nd Street between 9th and 10th Aves, Hell’s Kitchen, Oct. 4 -5, 12 - 6PM).

"In the mind of every kid in school is a secret place sparking rumors and gossip. Clark has turned the abandoned teacher’s lounge at P35M into a functioning one, playing on the tropes of its assumed uses: relaxation, anger, frustration, gossip, lunchtime, union meetings, refrigerators, and (at one time) smoking."

Flux must vacate by October 31st. Artists get extra karmic points and preferential treatment for pitching in to leave the space "broom clean", a little-used phrase (seen only in commercial NYC leases?)

Anyway, it seems like at the end of the end of the end, an Oracle might come in handy.

thank you shout outs

2008-10-03T19:13:00.016-06:00

It's been a busy time with applications, family, economic, and homegrown stresses, not to mention the many tasks on the job. Also, canvassing, watching and discussing debates and the election, and worrying. Meanwhile, ORQ has been languishing...or perhaps just germinating, waiting to take new forms.

A major shout out to the folks who agreed to help ORQ if the grant comes through. It was as R. says "a learning experience" applying for this grant - lots of struggle and some frustration, a challenge in many ways, but a really good push to connect, and that's what I keep coming back to. To those of you who offered your support, thank you so much for your vote of confidence.

Thanks to Local Project, the potential venue, especially Carolina and Renzo, for their generous welcoming of me and ORQ. And for answering the phone and welcoming a stranger. Also to Art-O-Mat for offering to be a venue, too. I'm happy to say that a sculpture of mine will be in the upcoming Familiar Spaces: Reconsidered show opening there on October 17th.

And to José who has been so generous with his time, ideas and energy for ORQ, a grateful thank you! Interestingly, his piece portaltar of 87 altars was one of the works that stood out in the Queens Museum Biennial in 2006, so it was great to meet him recently. More images of his work are available on his blog . It was really exciting to see work on his blog since it resonates with some ideas I've had rattling around in my brain for a long time, about creating spaces for contemplation and meditation.

Places that encourage us to take a long, slow breath.

"...the pleasure of discovery..."

2008-09-28T15:07:00.001-06:00

ORQ’s quote for the "A Little A$$istance Needed for ORQ" letter below:

"This sounds like a fair amount of work, and it is, depending on your turn of mind and your degree of experience. What keeps people doing it is the pleasure of discovery..."
-The Common Sense: What to Write, How to Write It and Why, Rosemary Deen and Marie Ponsot

A Little A$$istance Needed for ORQ

2008-09-28T14:49:00.006-06:00

Dear Friend of Priscilla and/or ORQ [The Oracle of Random Quotes]^TM ,

ORQ and Priscilla need a bit of help. I am applying for a small grant to fund my new project, ORQ [The Oracle of Random Quotes] through the Queens Community Arts Fund.

One of the conditions is that there be "additional sources of funding" in addition to the grant. At a minimum, I need to raise $400. According to the grant, sources of support can be funding agencies, businesses, and/or anyone who’s willing to kick in a donation. That’s why, in spite of what I realize is terrible timing in the U.S. economic picture, I’m asking for your help now.

If you would agree to support ORQ with a donation, say from $10 up to (well – frankly, whatever you like - and I promise not to ask for $700 billion) you will be listed as a supporter in the ORQ materials that will be published in conjunction with the exhibition if ORQ receives the grant. If you’re able to kick in a larger amount ($100) your name and/or logo will also be acknowledged on the ORQ project's wall during the exhibition in March, 2009. And, of course, any contributor to ORQ is welcome to receive a consultation with the Oracle!

If ORQ has helped you think about aspects of your life or the world’s dilemma(s), if you thought it was provocative or fun, if it made for a good conversation, or even if you've never heard of it before and it just sounds like an interesting idea, your support would be tremendously appreciated - and of course gratefully and publicly acknowledged.

I want to send out a special shout to all those folks who have already dipped into the exploration of randomness and meaning ORQ offers, and to the Wassaic Project for being ORQ’s first host in August, 2008.

Time’s very tight, with the grant deadline coming up this Wednesday. I’m in the process of setting up a "donate" button here with PayPal but it will take at least a few days to activate. If you would like to contribute, it's not necessary to send a donation right now, but would you please let me know by Tuesday, September 30th? That way I will know that I can include your support in the proposal.

Many, many thanks in advance for any support you can manage.

ORQ Run Over in Manhattan

2008-09-28T13:37:00.009-06:00

Ok, not literally, but still. Last week, it seemed the time had come to bring ORQ to Manhattan. The Queens and Wassaic debuts of ORQ have been great, but it was time to pack ORQ up and take it on the E train, from 23rd Ely in Long Island City, Queens to W.4th St., NYC, on a glowing Sunday September afternoon.

Since ORQ paraphernalia can get pretty heavy, and most NYC subway stations involve stairs I opted for one chair instead of the usual two. Also tried to keep the sources to a minimum. With tripod, camera, books, small table etc., it still added up to a sizeable load. But it didn't matter. ORQ was going to Manhattan!

The first trouble, it turned out, was that Washington Square Park (WSP) is undergoing some major renovations. At least half of it, including the fountain where "big guy" performers draw dozens or hundreds of passerbys for their audiences, was behind fences.

Things seemed ok as I staked out and then got a nice spot in a shady (from the trees) area - lots of folks walking by there, yet a sense of semi- privacy, if you can actually call it that in WSP - just a bit off the beaten track, but not too far.

Lots of curious and interested folks checking out the ORQ chair sign. Three folks came to consult the Oracle.

But staking out territory in WSP turned out to be an issue. Soon a public poet showed up nearby - complete with sword, and dressed in robes - and after about 20 minutes he began admonishing people that the show was about to start. That was ok as he wasn't so close to ORQ, plus no one was paying any attention to him. Then, before the poet could actually drum up an audience, there was trouble in paradise.
The true pro, an alpha-male of street performers, had staked his turf, moved in, and set up. Unfortunately for ORQ, he had fire and a sound system, and was only about 20 yards away. If you are ever wondering how to get people to pay attention to you, beyond the usual (literal) fire-breathing tactics, take lessons from decades-of-experience street performer Master Lee.

Yes, he can gather a crowd, yes he can breathe fire, yes he can humiliate some and make others laugh, yes he can make a living doing this for decades, and yes he can run over ORQ as though it had never existed, just by setting up in the same vicinity.

ORQ doesn't tend to be too showy. That's one reason that I don't consider it to be a performance, but rather, an opportunity to interact. Turns out this is a major disadvantage on a sunny weekend afternoon in Washington Square Park, at least during the current construction phase. In the culture of Manhattan street performance, ORQ just could not survive in the same 20-yard radius as Master Lee. So the Oracle gave up and schlepped all its stuff back to Queens.

random synchronicity

2008-09-20T20:49:00.006-06:00

On the evening train to D.C., a hard-working guy is sitting next to me making business calls. Because of this I unwittingly now know more than I should about certain arrangements and pending announcements at his company, which, he later explained to me, is "in education". During our brief conversation, I was drawing yet another of the "Not Heads" drawings, and among other things we spoke about assessment, performance and creativity in education. Although we were making conversation I'm sure our points of view on these topics, or at least the practical implications of their implementation, would soon have diverged, since I am familiar with his company - or I was in the past, when I worked with the NYC Settlement Houses and certain NYC school districts.

Rather than getting involved in any of this potential quagmire, I kept drawing, and he kept working - amicably enough, it seemed. Then, just a few minutes before his stop, he showed me an email quote his colleague had sent him (I had not mentioned ORQ to him).

So, in effect, he quoted me the quote of a quote:

"The greatest benefit we owe to the artist, whether painter, poet, or novelist, is the extension of our sympathies...Art is the nearest thing to life, it is a mode of amplifying experience and extending our contact with our fellow-man beyond the bounds of our personal lot." - George Eliot

Thanks, Chris!

ORQ on Politics

2008-09-20T20:07:00.005-06:00

Most of ORQ's questioners so far have asked about personal quandaries including whether to go back to school, how to proceed in their artwork, whether to keep their job, whether to follow the advice of experts about changing their son's school, whether they will ever buy the building, etc.

So when Mark from Australia came by the park across from P.S. 1 (ORQ's headquarters for that afternoon), he asked ORQ its first political question: How can the U.S. get rid of its $5 trillion debt?

ORQ's answers:

"I'm still in the certification process. Through the workshop I'm learning about writing, editing, lighting..." - Getting Men Involved

"One thing I've learned in spades...organization doesn't come out of an immaculate conception." - The Professional Radical: Conversations with Saul Alinsky, Marion Sanders and Saul Alinksy

"Low voices broken now and again by singing reached Okonkwo from his wives' huts as each woman and her children told folk stories." - Things Fall Apart, Chinua Achebe

"Many people will answer me, as I once answered..." - Dauguerrotypes and Other Essays, Isak Dinesen

Mark was not really impressed by ORQ's obtuseness, though he did think the "certification process" reference could amount to a meaningful, or at least relevant, answer. But he was also in a big hurry to go to P.S. 1 .

ORQ's first political question

2008-09-14T17:32:00.006-06:00

Across the street from P.S. 1 is a tiny triangular park, the perfect size for ORQ. And, apparently, some of the local dog population's needs.

In spite of grey skies and a few raindrops (at one point we actually had to move the oracle under the awning of a bank across the street), several folks asked questions of ORQ. Interestingly it was the first time ORQ was asked any political questions, started off by Mark from Australia, who asked how the U.S. would be able to emerge from its $53 trillion debt.

ORQ's answers? They'll appear here soon, and you can decide whether they have any meaning or not.

Lots of folks near P.S. 1 yesterday did not seem inclined to try ORQ. Was it something ORQ said - or didn't say? What if you gave an oracle and nobody came?