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3 MERCER STREET

black and white videotape, silent, produced with support of the Creative Arts Public Service Program (CAPS) of the New York State Council on the Arts, 1975.

"3 Mercer Street" is a silent exploration of an empty store front. The camera steadily, continuously and repeatedly pans the small room and the viewer becomes increasingly familiar with the space until it becomes possible to anticipate what will appear next. There is an element of surprise with the recurring appearance of a performer. A suspense develops because it is impossible to predict when and where he will appear or to understand what he is doing. The camera totally disregards him and continues on without slowing or stopping for an investigation of his activity. The barren room and the deserted dark street seen through the window create a surreal atmoshere [[atmosphere]] in a "Hopper" setting. The seriousness of the environment is relieved by the humor and irony created by the illogical and sporadic appearance of the performer.